Optometrist Salary in Eugene, OR: $129,482 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Eugene, OR earns a median $129,482/year (≈ $62.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Eugene's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.6), that paycheck buys what $127,483 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.2% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Eugene, Oregon, optometrists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,482 in 2026, reflecting the growing demand for their specialized services, particularly in surgical co-management with ophthalmologists. The pay range for this profession varies significantly, starting at $83,295 and reaching up to $162,944 for those in the highest echelons. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, indicates that optometrists here generally earn slightly less than their national counterparts, with the national median standing at $140,612. This differential can be attributed to the localized job market dynamics and the specific healthcare needs of the region, offering burgeoning opportunities despite the competitive nature of the industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,295 | $40.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,050 | $50.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,482 | $62.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,072 | $69.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,944 | $78.34 |
Median Salary Position
7.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eugene
In Eugene, OR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,649 (2026 est.). At $129,482, the local median is 7.92% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Eugene: You'd be above the median
How Eugene Optometrist Pay Compares
Eugene median: $129,482/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eugene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $144,190 | -10.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.92% less |
Optometrists in Eugene, OR earn a median of $129,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.92% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 10.20% below the Oregon state average of $144,190.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eugene has a cost of living 1.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eugene, OR has a cost-of-living index of 101.568 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,482 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,483 — a 1.54% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,260
2025 BLS Actual
$125,760
2026 Current Est.
$129,482
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Eugene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,315 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eugene metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 32.0% from $95,260 (2019) to $125,760 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,315 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,055 (39.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eugene 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) | $83,295 – $105,050 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,050 – $129,482 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,482 – $144,072 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,072 – $162,944 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Eugene
With around 40 optometrists actively practicing in Eugene, local employment is stable but competitive, especially when factoring in the cost of living index of 101.568. This slightly elevated cost signifies that while salaries are somewhat lower than the national average, the take-home purchasing power remains essential for maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. Private optometry practices, particularly those embracing the OD/MD model, tend to offer the most lucrative compensation, benefitting from surgical referral revenue. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include practice ownership, experience gained from residency training, and the specific terms of employment within expanding corporate structures. To maximize potential compensation, new graduates should consider positions that emphasize surgical co-management and seek practices offering equity opportunities, all while being mindful of the evolving landscape of optometry in Eugene.
More salary data for Eugene, 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 $125,760 for optometristsin the Eugene 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, 7-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