Optometrist Salary in The Dalles, OR: $133,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in The Dalles, OR earns a median $133,708/year (≈ $64.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in The Dalles's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $130,320 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 projected median annual salary for an optometrist in The Dalles is $133,708, reflecting the area's employment dynamics in relation to practice ownership, employed associates, and retail chain structures. With a salary range from $80,847 at the 10th percentile to $190,159 at the 90th, the local landscape shows variability influenced by practice type and experience level. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differentials, suggest that individuals achieving ownership might capitalize on higher earnings. In a market with only six optometrists currently employed, the opportunities for growth and salary advancement can be closely tied to the chosen operational model.
About the The Dalles Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,847 | $38.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,631 | $53.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,708 | $64.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,139 | $76.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,159 | $91.42 |
Median Salary Position
4.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Dalles
In The Dalles, OR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,312 (2026 est.). At $133,708, the local median is 4.91% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Dalles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Dalles Optometrist Pay Compares
The Dalles median: $133,708/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Dalles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $144,237 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.91% less |
Optometrists in The Dalles, OR earn a median of $133,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.91% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.30% below the Oregon state average of $144,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Dalles has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
The Dalles, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,708 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $130,320 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,591
2025 BLS Actual
$129,864
2026 Current Est.
$133,708
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in The Dalles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,253 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,196 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,423 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,385 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,224 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,864 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,666 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Dalles metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,591 (2019) to $129,864 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,666 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,075 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Dalles 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) | $80,847 – $111,631 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,631 – $133,708 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,708 – $160,139 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,139 – $190,159 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in The Dalles
The cost of living index in The Dalles stands at 102.6, exceeding the national average slightly, which can impact the purchasing power of optometrists in the area. Among the different employment options available, private practices often offer the most competitive pay, particularly those transitioning to an OD/MD model that can generate referral income. In contrast, retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks may provide lower wages but can be appealing due to their structured environments and benefits. Factors contributing to salary variability include ownership equity, specialization in ocular disease with residency training, and potential post-acquisition employment terms at practices now under private equity ownership. To maximize compensation, optometrists should consider strategies such as pursuing specialty training, exploring partnerships with ophthalmologists, and remaining informed about local market trends in The Dalles, OR.
More salary data for The Dalles, 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 $129,864 for optometristsin the The Dalles 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 The Dalles 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