Optometrist Salary in Hazleton, PA: $134,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hazleton, PA earns a median $134,116/year (≈ $64.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hazleton's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $137,696 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected optometrist salary in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is projected at $134,116, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612. The pay range for optometrists here extends from $77,787 at the 10th percentile to $196,181 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variability in compensation based on experience, specialization, and practice setting. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living factors. Hazleton's status as a market with new practice opportunities is bolstered by the state's broad scope of practice that includes glaucoma management and the ability to prescribe oral medications and perform some laser procedures, which, in turn, influences salary dynamics for local optometrists.
About the Hazleton Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,787 | $37.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,593 | $54.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,116 | $64.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,473 | $78.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,181 | $94.32 |
Median Salary Position
4.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hazleton
In Hazleton, PA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,394 (2026 est.). At $134,116, the local median is 4.62% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hazleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hazleton Optometrist Pay Compares
Hazleton median: $134,116/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hazleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $138,264 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.62% less |
Optometrists in Hazleton, PA earn a median of $134,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.62% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $138,264.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hazleton has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hazleton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,116 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,696 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,925
2025 BLS Actual
$130,260
2026 Current Est.
$134,116
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hazleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,925 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,596 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,557 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,787 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,768 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,601 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,086 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hazleton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,925 (2019) to $130,260 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,086 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,161 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hazleton 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) | $77,787 – $112,593 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,593 – $134,116 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,116 – $162,473 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,473 – $196,181 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hazleton
The job market for optometrists in Hazleton employs a handful of practitioners, with just 7 optometrists currently working in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.4, suggesting that while salaries may be lower compared to the national average, purchasing power remains relatively stable. Among local employers, private optometry practices and select retail optical chains typically provide higher pay; those working alongside ophthalmologists in OD/MD models often see favorable compensation due to shared surgical referral revenue. The disparity in wages can be largely attributed to the varying business models, with practice ownership and residency training in ocular disease playing significant roles in earning potential. To maximize pay in the Hazleton market, optometrists should consider enhancing their qualifications through residencies, networking within local professional circles, and staying informed about practice acquisition trends that may lead to changes in compensation structures.
More salary data for Hazleton, 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 $130,260 for optometristsin the Hazleton 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 Hazleton 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