Optometrist Salary in Fort Worth, TX: $144,012 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fort Worth, TX earns a median $144,012/year (≈ $69.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fort Worth's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $150,013 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $144,012 in 2026, optometrists in Fort Worth, TX, enjoy compensation that surpasses the national median of $140,612 by 2.42%. This competitive pay range reflects the high demand for optometrists, as they manage an expanding scope of practice that includes glaucoma treatment, the prescription of oral medications, and select laser procedures. The full spectrum of salaries for optometrists in the Dallas-Fort Worth region ranges from $83,527 at the 10th percentile to $223,219 at the 90th percentile. These figures are informed by local cost adjustments based on BLS state-level data, highlighting Fort Worth's unique position within the Texas health care landscape, especially as it boasts opportunities for optometrists across several employment settings.
About the Fort Worth Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,527 | $40.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,030 | $55.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,012 | $69.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,281 | $86.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,219 | $107.32 |
Median Salary Position
2.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,692 (2026 est.). At $144,012, the local median is 2.42% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Worth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Worth Optometrist Pay Compares
Fort Worth median: $144,012/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Worth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,340 | +7.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.42% more |
Optometrists in Fort Worth, TX earn a median of $144,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.42% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 7.20% above the Texas state average of $134,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Worth 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.
Fort Worth, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $144,012 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,013 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,037
2025 BLS Actual
$139,872
2026 Current Est.
$144,012
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fort Worth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,037 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,904 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,305 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,627 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,048 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,146 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,872 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,012 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,275 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Worth metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $118,037 (2019) to $139,872 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,238 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Worth 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) | $83,527 – $115,030 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,030 – $144,012 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,012 – $180,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,281 – $223,219 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, the employment scenario for optometrists shows promise, with 219 professionals already working in the area. The local cost-of-living index of 96 suggests that take-home pay stretches further than in many regions, enhancing overall purchasing power. Among the various employers, private optometry practices tend to offer rates at the higher end of the spectrum, particularly those with ownership equity. Retail chains, while usually associated with lower compensation, have also adapted to market trends, especially in light of recent consolidation. The salary variance is influenced by multiple factors, including the practice model—private versus retail, or collaboration with ophthalmologists under an OD/MD framework—as well as the presence of specialty training such as residency programs in ocular disease, which can significantly enhance earnings. To maximize pay in Fort Worth, optometrists should seek opportunities that leverage these factors, including exploring potential ownership options or practicing in collaboration with multidisciplinary health teams.
More salary data for Fort Worth, 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 $139,872 for optometristsin the Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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