Optometrist Salary in Williamsport, PA: $136,905 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Williamsport, PA earns a median $136,905/year (≈ $65.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Williamsport's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $140,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $136,905 in 2026, which reflects a competitive market positioning slightly below the national average of $140,612. This salary range varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $79,405 and the top 90% earning about $192,505. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reveal that local practice ownership and employment options significantly influence earning potential. Optometrists choosing independent practice ownership or aligning with ophthalmology practices can often achieve higher compensation compared to those employed in retail chains or as associates, reflecting a trend observed in the regional job market.
About the Williamsport Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,405 | $38.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,063 | $52.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,905 | $65.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,127 | $77.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,505 | $92.55 |
Median Salary Position
2.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williamsport
In Williamsport, PA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,100 (2026 est.). At $136,905, the local median is 2.64% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williamsport: You'd be above the median
How Williamsport Optometrist Pay Compares
Williamsport median: $136,905/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williamsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $138,148 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.64% less |
Optometrists in Williamsport, PA earn a median of $136,905 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $138,148.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williamsport 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.
Williamsport, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,905 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,560 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$112,211
2025 BLS Actual
$132,969
2026 Current Est.
$136,905
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Williamsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,211 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,937 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,023 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,279 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,383 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,254 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,969 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,905 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williamsport metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,211 (2019) to $132,969 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,746 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsport 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) | $79,405 – $110,063 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,063 – $136,905 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,905 – $161,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,127 – $192,505 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Williamsport
With only six optometrists employed in the area, the competitive landscape in Williamsport offers unique opportunities and challenges for practitioners. The cost of living index in Williamsport is at 97.4, indicating that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national median, the purchasing power for local optometrists remains favorable. Private optometry practices typically pay the most, particularly those adopting an OD/MD model, benefiting from additional revenue streams through surgical referrals. Variations in pay stem from individual practice settings, such as whether an optometrist is within a retail optical chain versus a private practice, as well as factors like residency training in ocular disease that can influence salary negotiations. To maximize earning potential in this market, new graduates should be open to diverse employment options, consider the benefits of establishing their own practices, and explore affiliations that offer comprehensive benefits and growth potential.
More salary data for Williamsport, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Williamsport, PA in 2026?
Is Williamsport, PA a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Williamsport?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Williamsport?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Williamsport?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $132,969 for optometristsin the Williamsport 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 Williamsport 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