Optometrist Salary in Grants Pass, OR: $139,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Grants Pass, OR earns a median $139,308/year (≈ $66.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Grants Pass's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $135,778 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Grants Pass, Oregon, can expect a median annual salary of $139,308, positioning them slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $83,816 at the lower end (P10) to $202,090 (P90) at the higher end, reflecting substantial disparities based on experience, practice setting, and specialties. These projections stem from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, including Grants Pass’s cost of living index of 102.6, indicating that expenses in the area are slightly above the national average. The thriving job market, fueled by an expanding scope of practice that allows optometrists to manage glaucoma and prescribe oral medications, contributes to an attractive salary picture for those in this field.
About the Grants Pass Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,816 | $40.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,137 | $55.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,308 | $66.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,051 | $80.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,090 | $97.16 |
Median Salary Position
0.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grants Pass
In Grants Pass, OR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,274 (2026 est.). At $139,308, the local median is 0.93% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grants Pass: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grants Pass Optometrist Pay Compares
Grants Pass median: $139,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grants Pass Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $144,211 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.93% less |
Optometrists in Grants Pass, OR earn a median of $139,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.93% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.40% below the Oregon state average of $144,211.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grants Pass has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grants Pass, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,308 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,778 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,181
2025 BLS Actual
$135,303
2026 Current Est.
$139,308
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Grants Pass (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,181 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,955 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,147 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,425 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,637 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,303 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,431 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grants Pass metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,181 (2019) to $135,303 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,431 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,250 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grants Pass 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) | $83,816 – $116,137 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,137 – $139,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,308 – $168,051 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,051 – $202,090 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Grants Pass
Grants Pass currently employs seven optometrists, establishing a small but stable local job market. The prevailing cost of living in the region impacts take-home pay, as salaries that appear robust may be offset by local expenses. Among various employment settings, private optometry practices and ophthalmology practices typically offer the highest compensation, particularly for those with residency training in ocular disease. Conversely, retail optical chains may provide more modest salaries, as they often adhere to standardized pay scales. The variation between salaries can also arise from the practice ownership structure, with those in an OD/MD model benefiting from shared surgical referral revenue. For new graduates or those seeking higher pay, leveraging connections through local AOA chapters and pursuing advanced training can be effective strategies to maximize earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Grants Pass, 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 $135,303 for optometristsin the Grants Pass 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
Salary data for Grants Pass is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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