Optometrist Salary in Woonsocket, RI: $136,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Woonsocket, RI earns a median $136,599/year (≈ $65.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Woonsocket's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $135,919 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Woonsocket presents a compelling picture for optometrists, with a projected median salary of $136,599 in 2026. This figure, while slightly below the national median of $140,612, reflects the strong demand for optometric services in the area, particularly with the growing trend of ophthalmologists and optometrists collaborating under the OD/MD model for surgical co-management. Salaries for optometrists in Woonsocket can range significantly; the bottom 10% earn around $82,565, while those in the top 90% can make as much as $198,775. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, paint a positive outlook for the profession in this Rhode Island city.
About the Woonsocket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,565 | $39.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,025 | $54.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,599 | $65.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,721 | $76.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,775 | $95.57 |
Median Salary Position
2.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woonsocket
In Woonsocket, RI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,210 (2026 est.). At $136,599, the local median is 2.85% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woonsocket: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Woonsocket Optometrist Pay Compares
Woonsocket median: $136,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woonsocket Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $141,261 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.85% less |
Optometrists in Woonsocket, RI earn a median of $136,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.85% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $141,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woonsocket has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woonsocket, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,599 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,919 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,961
2025 BLS Actual
$132,672
2026 Current Est.
$136,599
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Woonsocket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,961 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,681 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,752 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,005 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,096 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,061 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,672 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,642 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woonsocket metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,961 (2019) to $132,672 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,642 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,681 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woonsocket 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) | $82,565 – $114,025 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,025 – $136,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,599 – $159,721 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,721 – $198,775 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Woonsocket
With nine optometrists currently practicing in Woonsocket, the job market is relatively small but stable, encouraging professional growth and collaboration. The cost of living in the area, which has a index of 100.5, is slightly above the national average, influencing purchasing power and overall quality of life for residents. Private practices and ophthalmology groups likely offer the highest compensation, especially for those with specialties or residency training in ocular disease, thanks to the lucrative co-management revenue. Factors such as ownership equity and differing patient loads also contribute to the variation in optometrist pay in Woonsocket, RI. For those seeking to maximize earnings, actively pursuing partnerships with surgical practices or considering further specialized training will likely yield better financial outcomes and career satisfaction.
More salary data for Woonsocket, RI:
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 $132,672 for optometristsin the Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket 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