Optometrist Salary in Erie, PA: $138,203 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Erie, PA earns a median $138,203/year (≈ $66.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $151,955 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for optometrists in Erie, Pennsylvania, is set at $138,203 in 2026, closely aligning with the national median of $140,612. Optometrists in this region can expect a salary range from $101,611 at the 10th percentile to $213,951 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability based on experience, practice type, and additional revenue streams such as surgical co-management within the OD/MD model. Data from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys highlight the competitive nature of the job market in Erie, where earnings are influenced not only by direct patient care but also by collaboration with ophthalmologists, which can enhance overall income potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,611 | $48.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,154 | $61.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,203 | $66.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,014 | $79.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,951 | $102.86 |
Median Salary Position
1.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,340 (2026 est.). At $138,203, the local median is 1.71% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie Optometrist Pay Compares
Erie median: $138,203/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.71% less |
Optometrists in Erie, PA earn a median of $138,203 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.71% lower than the national median of $140,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $138,203 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,955 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,380
2025 BLS Actual
$134,230
2026 Current Est.
$138,203
2019–2027 Growth
+49.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,203 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,294 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 40.7% from $95,380 (2019) to $134,230 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,294 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,914 (49.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $101,611 – $128,154 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,154 – $138,203 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,203 – $165,014 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,014 – $213,951 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Erie
Currently, Erie hosts around 40 practicing optometrists, reflecting a stable job market. With a cost of living index of 90.95, the local market offers a favorable economic environment compared to national averages, impacting take-home pay and overall lifestyle. The highest salaries in the area are often found within ophthalmology practices utilizing the OD/MD model, as they can share in procedure revenues, a significant factor that contributes to the discrepancies between lower and higher pay scales. Factors such as ownership status, residency training focusing on ocular diseases, and the transition of practices to private equity ownership can influence compensation. For optometrists looking to maximize their pay, choosing employment with ophthalmology partnerships or pursuing residency training are strategic moves that can lead to both higher salaries and enhanced professional development in Erie, PA.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
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 $134,230 for optometristsin the Erie 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