Optometrist Salary in Scranton, PA: $136,947 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Scranton, PA earns a median $136,947/year (≈ $65.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $146,380 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists practicing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, can expect a median salary of $136,947 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $140,612. The salary range spans from $95,763 at the 10th percentile to $179,243 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale likely influenced by factors such as employment structure. In Scranton, many optometrists operate in both private practices and retail settings, with varying compensation levels reflecting ownership stakes, patient volume, and the overall healthcare service demand. These figures are derived from projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, shedding light on a relatively stable job market for optometrists in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,763 | $46.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,111 | $58.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,947 | $65.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,489 | $79.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,243 | $86.18 |
Median Salary Position
2.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,480 (2026 est.). At $136,947, the local median is 2.61% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scranton Optometrist Pay Compares
Scranton median: $136,947/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $138,191 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.61% less |
Optometrists in Scranton, PA earn a median of $136,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.61% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $138,191.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,947 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,380 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$134,490
2025 BLS Actual
$133,010
2026 Current Est.
$136,947
2019–2027 Growth
+4.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,947 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -1.1% from $134,490 (2019) to $133,010 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,511 (4.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $95,763 – $122,111 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,111 – $136,947 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,947 – $164,489 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,489 – $179,243 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Scranton
With 80 optometrists currently employed in Scranton, the local job market supports a modest yet steady demand for eye care professionals. Given the cost-of-living index of 93.556, the relative affordability of living in Scranton may enhance purchasing power compared to higher-cost markets. Among various employer types, private optometry practices typically offer higher salaries, particularly those integrating with ophthalmologists or pursuing specialized services. The disparity in pay can stem from practice models, with those in established, residency-trained optometry models often commanding higher incomes due to the added value of specialized training. To maximize earnings, optometrists might consider diversifying their practice settings, pursuing additional certifications, or exploring partnerships to integrate services that can tap into the surgical referral revenue, ultimately boosting their financial potential in Scranton, PA.
More salary data for Scranton, 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 $133,010 for optometristsin the Scranton 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, 7-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