Optometrist Salary in El Paso, TX: $136,154 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in El Paso, TX earns a median $136,154/year (≈ $65.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in El Paso's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.9), that paycheck buys what $151,430 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Paso, TX, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is set at $136,154, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $140,612. With a salary range from $35,624 at the 10th percentile to $173,189 at the 90th percentile, the earnings for optometrists in this region highlight a disparity rooted in various factors including scope of practice. Optometrists in Texas enjoy the ability to prescribe oral medications and manage glaucoma, contributing to their overall compensation potential. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, revealing a stable job market for the 70 optometrists currently practicing in El Paso, and suggesting opportunities for ongoing career growth as the field continues to evolve.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,624 | $17.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,412 | $50.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,154 | $65.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,033 | $72.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,189 | $83.26 |
Median Salary Position
3.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Paso
In El Paso, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,565 (2026 est.). At $136,154, the local median is 3.17% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Paso: You'd be above the median
How El Paso Optometrist Pay Compares
El Paso median: $136,154/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Paso Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,274 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.17% less |
Optometrists in El Paso, TX earn a median of $136,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.17% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% above the Texas state average of $134,274.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Paso has a cost of living 10.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Paso, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.912 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,154 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,430 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,120
2025 BLS Actual
$132,240
2026 Current Est.
$136,154
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,154 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,184 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Paso metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 27.0% from $104,120 (2019) to $132,240 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,184 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,064 (34.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Paso 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) | $35,624 – $104,412 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,412 – $136,154 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,154 – $150,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,033 – $173,189 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in El Paso
Within the local job market, El Paso's relatively low cost of living index of 89.912 allows optometrists to benefit from their earnings more effectively compared to higher-cost regions. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups, particularly those operating under the OD/MD model, which capitalizes on surgical referrals for additional revenue. The variance in compensation stems from factors like ownership equity in practices, specialized residency training, and shifts due to private equity acquiring former independent practices. Optometrists seeking to maximize their pay in El Paso may consider additional certifications in ocular disease or pursue roles in multidisciplinary settings, thereby elevating their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for El Paso, 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 $132,240 for optometristsin the El Paso 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