Optometrist Salary in Houston, TX: $128,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Houston, TX earns a median $128,329/year (≈ $61.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $130,113 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $128,329, which reflects a 2.96% growth rate in the local job market. With a salary range spanning from $98,862 at the 10th percentile to $166,805 at the 90th percentile, compensation varies significantly based on practice setting and ownership structure. Options for optometrists include private practice ownership, employed positions, and retail chain roles, each offering distinct benefits and drawbacks. Data for these figures is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting local employment opportunities in a city where the demand for eye care continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,862 | $47.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,790 | $51.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,329 | $61.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,300 | $72.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,805 | $80.20 |
Median Salary Position
8.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,943 (2026 est.). At $128,329, the local median is 8.74% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houston Optometrist Pay Compares
Houston median: $128,329/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,376 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.74% less |
Optometrists in Houston, TX earn a median of $128,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.74% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.50% below the Texas state average of $134,376.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $128,329 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,113 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,230
2025 BLS Actual
$124,640
2026 Current Est.
$128,329
2019–2027 Growth
+17.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,128 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 11.1% from $112,230 (2019) to $124,640 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,128 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,898 (17.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $98,862 – $106,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,790 – $128,329 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,329 – $151,300 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,300 – $166,805 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Houston
Houston's job market employs around 1,250 optometrists, while the cost of living index sits at 98.629, suggesting that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power. Private optometry practices, especially those that adopt the OD/MD model, typically compensate optometrists better than retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks. Factors contributing to the wage gap include ownership equity, the integration of surgical referral revenue in certain practices, and the completion of residency training, especially in ocular disease. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Houston, focusing on quality practice ownership opportunities or incorporating advanced skill sets without a doubt offers a competitive edge, particularly as the scope of practice continues to broaden across numerous states.
More salary data for Houston, 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 $124,640 for optometristsin the Houston 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