Optometrist Salary in Bend, OR: $133,652 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bend, OR earns a median $133,652/year (≈ $64.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bend's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $128,999 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bend, Oregon, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $133,652 in 2026, reflecting the state's expanding scope of practice that includes managing glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing select laser procedures. The salary range for this profession spans from $89,699 at the 10th percentile to $166,672 at the 90th percentile, as derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). This compensation structure indicates a competitive market for optometrists, influenced by the region's high demand for eye care services and the added complexity of additional treatment options.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,699 | $43.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,315 | $51.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,652 | $64.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,884 | $66.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,672 | $80.13 |
Median Salary Position
4.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
In Bend, OR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,973 (2026 est.). At $133,652, the local median is 4.95% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Bend: You'd be above the median
How Bend Optometrist Pay Compares
Bend median: $133,652/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $144,333 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.95% less |
Optometrists in Bend, OR earn a median of $133,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.95% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.40% below the Oregon state average of $144,333.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bend has a cost of living 3.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bend, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.607 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,652 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,999 — a 3.48% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,545
2025 BLS Actual
$129,810
2026 Current Est.
$133,652
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,545 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,373 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,333 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,652 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,608 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bend metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,545 (2019) to $129,810 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,608 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,063 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $89,699 – $107,315 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,315 – $133,652 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,652 – $137,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,884 – $166,672 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bend
With 40 optometrists currently employed in Bend, the local job market reveals a stable demand for eye care professionals. However, the cost of living index at 103.607 suggests that while salaries are relatively robust, residents must also contend with higher living expenses compared to national averages. Among the local employers, private optometry practices generally offer more competitive salaries than retail chains such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, largely due to practice ownership equity and the potential for profit-sharing in surgical referral models. Factors such as residency training in ocular disease or employment strategies that leverage the increased demand for comprehensive eye care can significantly impact earning potential. Optometrists in Bend looking to maximize their pay should consider enrolling in residency programs, seeking specialties that enhance referral networks, and exploring ownership opportunities, especially given the evolving landscape of practice ownership driven by private equity acquisitions.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $129,810 for optometristsin the Bend metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov