Optometrist Salary in Johnstown, PA: $131,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Johnstown, PA earns a median $131,392/year (≈ $63.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Johnstown's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $134,899 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $131,392. The salary range for this profession ranges from $76,208 for the bottom 10% to $181,115 for the top 90%. These figures reflect local estimates based on BLS state-level data as well as regional price adjustments, indicating a competitive pay landscape for optometrists despite being slightly below the national median of $140,612. The growth rate for optometrist salary in Johnstown suggests a promising upward trend at an annual rate of 2.96%, driven by various market factors including the demand for comprehensive ocular management.
About the Johnstown Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,208 | $36.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,704 | $50.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,392 | $63.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,513 | $73.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,115 | $87.07 |
Median Salary Position
6.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnstown
In Johnstown, PA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,907 (2026 est.). At $131,392, the local median is 6.56% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnstown: You'd be above the median
How Johnstown Optometrist Pay Compares
Johnstown median: $131,392/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $138,162 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.56% less |
Optometrists in Johnstown, PA earn a median of $131,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $138,162.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnstown 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.
Johnstown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,392 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,899 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,693
2025 BLS Actual
$127,615
2026 Current Est.
$131,392
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Johnstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,693 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,309 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,355 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,214 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,615 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,282 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnstown metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,693 (2019) to $127,615 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,282 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,589 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnstown 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) | $76,208 – $105,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,704 – $131,392 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,392 – $153,513 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,513 – $181,115 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Johnstown
With only five optometrists currently employed in the area, Johnstown's job market presents a unique opportunity for those seeking positions in this field. The cost of living index is 97.4, which is below the national average, allowing for better purchasing power for earnings. Employers such as private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics tend to offer some of the highest salary opportunities, particularly for those who incorporate surgical co-management into their practice. Factors influencing the salary spread include variations in practice ownership—where equity can significantly impact earnings—depth of clinical training, and the operational structure of the practice, whether independent or part of a larger retail chain. To maximize pay in Johnstown, aspiring optometrists should consider pursuing residencies or aligning with practices that engage in collaborative care with ophthalmologists.
More salary data for Johnstown, 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 $127,615 for optometristsin the Johnstown 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 Johnstown 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