Optometrist Salary in Portland, OR: $140,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Portland, OR earns a median $140,283/year (≈ $67.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $133,069 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Portland, Oregon are projected to earn a median annual salary of $140,283 in 2026, which is slightly below the national benchmark of $140,612. This figure reflects a salary range that spans from $92,355 at the lower tenth percentile to $171,809 at the upper ninetieth percentile, indicating the variability based on experience, specialization, and practice settings. The findings, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the strong earning potential influenced by the state's broad scope of practice, allowing optometrists to manage conditions like glaucoma, prescribe oral medications, and perform select laser procedures. These factors are vital in shaping the competitive landscape for optometrist salaries in Portland, offering opportunities for those who hold advanced credentials or training.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,355 | $44.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,540 | $52.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,283 | $67.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,220 | $75.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,809 | $82.59 |
Median Salary Position
0.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,454 (2026 est.). At $140,283, the local median is 0.23% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Optometrist Pay Compares
Portland median: $140,283/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $144,324 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.23% less |
Optometrists in Portland, OR earn a median of $140,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.23% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% below the Oregon state average of $144,324.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,283 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,069 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,540
2025 BLS Actual
$136,250
2026 Current Est.
$140,283
2019–2027 Growth
+38.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,435 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 30.3% from $104,540 (2019) to $136,250 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,435 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,895 (38.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $92,355 – $108,540 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,540 – $140,283 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,283 – $157,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,220 – $171,809 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Portland
With 350 optometrists currently employed in the Portland area, the local job market appears robust. However, the cost-of-living index of 105.421 indicates that while salaries may seem competitive, actual purchasing power could be impacted by higher living expenses. Employers such as private optometry practices, ophthalmology groups, and military health facilities generally offer higher compensation, particularly for those with residency training in ocular disease or experience in OD/MD models. The disparity in pay can be driven by factors such as practice ownership equity, the type of practice setting, and additional surgical referral revenue opportunities. To maximize earnings, new grads and seasoned practitioners alike might consider mentorships in private practices or pursuing specialized training, which could lead to improved job offers and greater financial rewards in the growing field of optometry in Portland, OR.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $136,250 for optometristsin the Portland 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