Optometrist Salary in Baytown, TX: $133,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Baytown, TX earns a median $133,638/year (≈ $64.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Baytown's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $139,206 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Baytown, Texas, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $133,638. This figure reflects a salary range from $77,510 at the lower tenth percentile to $194,258 at the higher ninetieth percentile. Local estimates derive from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. Compared to the national median of $140,612, the optometrist salary in Baytown is approximately 4.96% lower. The dynamics of this market are largely shaped by the choice between practice ownership and employment within retail chains or private practices, influencing earning potential and job structure.
About the Baytown Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,510 | $37.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,209 | $49.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,638 | $64.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,016 | $76.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,258 | $93.40 |
Median Salary Position
4.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baytown
In Baytown, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,748 (2026 est.). At $133,638, the local median is 4.96% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baytown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baytown Optometrist Pay Compares
Baytown median: $133,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baytown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,310 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.96% less |
Optometrists in Baytown, TX earn a median of $133,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.96% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.50% below the Texas state average of $134,310.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baytown has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baytown, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,206 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,533
2025 BLS Actual
$129,796
2026 Current Est.
$133,638
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Baytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,533 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,195 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,135 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,361 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,811 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,796 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baytown metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,533 (2019) to $129,796 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,061 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baytown 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) | $77,510 – $103,209 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,209 – $133,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,638 – $160,016 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,016 – $194,258 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Baytown
With only 16 optometrists currently employed in the Baytown area, the local job market shows moderate strength. The cost of living index at 96 indicates that residents can expect a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, optimizing take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically offer the highest pay, followed closely by ophthalmology practices due to collaborative revenue-sharing models. The variation in optometrist pay in Baytown TX is influenced by factors such as ownership equity, the presence of residency training, and the shifts caused by private equity acquisitions in the field. To maximize earnings, aspiring optometrists should consider pursuing residency-trained positions, exploring partnerships in private practices, or negotiating strategically within the evolving structure of retail chains in the area.
More salary data for Baytown, TX:
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 $129,796 for optometristsin the Baytown 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 Baytown 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