Optometrist Salary in Salem, OR: $138,574 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Salem, OR earns a median $138,574/year (≈ $66.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Salem's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $133,695 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an optometrist in Salem, Oregon, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $138,574, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this area spans from $108,252 at the lower end (P10) to $163,820 at the upper end (P90), providing a wide berth that highlights varying career stages and practice settings. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. As Salem's job market includes around 60 optometrists, those practicing within the OD/MD model often see enhanced revenue through surgical co-management, which can significantly bolster their overall compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,252 | $52.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,250 | $64.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,574 | $66.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,086 | $71.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,820 | $78.75 |
Median Salary Position
1.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, OR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,568 (2026 est.). At $138,574, the local median is 1.45% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Optometrist Pay Compares
Salem median: $138,574/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $144,198 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.45% less |
Optometrists in Salem, OR earn a median of $138,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.45% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $144,198.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.65% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.649 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,574 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,695 — a 3.52% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,870
2025 BLS Actual
$134,590
2026 Current Est.
$138,574
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,339 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,574 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,676 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 21.4% from $110,870 (2019) to $134,590 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,676 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,806 (28.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $108,252 – $134,250 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,250 – $138,574 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,574 – $149,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,086 – $163,820 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Salem
Within Salem, the local job market provides a diverse employment landscape for optometrists, driven by a cost-of-living index of 103.649. This slight elevation above the national average suggests that while the salaries may appear enticing, actual purchasing power could be more constrained. Among the highest-paying employers are ophthalmology practices that utilize the OD/MD model, allowing optometrists to share in surgical revenue, along with private optometry practices that retain their equity amidst a trend of consolidation by retail optical chains. Factors influencing the wide salary spread include the resale value of practices, additional earnings from surgical co-management, residency training focused on ocular disease or VA pathways, and the variations in employment agreements following private equity acquisitions. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Salem, pursuing further specialization or ownership can offer significant leverage in negotiating salaries.
More salary data for Salem, 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 $134,590 for optometristsin the Salem 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, 6-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