Optometrist Salary in Kingsville, TX: $128,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Kingsville, TX earns a median $128,656/year (≈ $61.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Kingsville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $134,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kingsville, TX, the projected optometrist salary for 2026 is set at $128,656, which illustrates a competitive figure compared to the national median of $140,612. The local salary range spans from $75,844 at the 10th percentile to $184,640 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various employment settings in the area, such as private practices, corporate retail chains, and multi-doctor offices. Given that Kingsville has a unique structure in its job market—where practitioners have varying degrees of ownership and independence—those opting for private practice ownership or avenues like the OD/MD model may find themselves positioned for higher earnings. This salary picture is shaped by localized cost adjustments and BLS estimates derived specifically for the area.
About the Kingsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,844 | $36.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,978 | $50.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,656 | $61.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,082 | $74.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,640 | $88.77 |
Median Salary Position
8.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsville
In Kingsville, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,796 (2026 est.). At $128,656, the local median is 8.5% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingsville Optometrist Pay Compares
Kingsville median: $128,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,296 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.50% less |
Optometrists in Kingsville, TX earn a median of $128,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.50% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.20% below the Texas state average of $134,296.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsville 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.
Kingsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $128,656 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$105,450
2025 BLS Actual
$124,957
2026 Current Est.
$128,656
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Kingsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,012 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,911 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,648 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,897 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,957 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,464 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $105,450 (2019) to $124,957 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,464 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,014 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsville 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) | $75,844 – $105,978 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,978 – $128,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,656 – $154,082 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,082 – $184,640 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Kingsville
Currently, Kingsville employs a modest cohort of five optometrists, which indicates a tight job market for aspiring practitioners. Despite a cost-of-living index of 96, below the national average, the purchasing power can still be favorable depending on individual salary negotiations. Among local employers, private optometry offices typically provide more competitive compensation than retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. The disparity in pay within the sector is influenced by factors such as practice ownership equity, the integration of ocular disease management, and additional revenue opportunities associated with surgical referrals. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Kingsville, pursuing residency training or seeking positions in expanding arenas like glaucoma and minor surgical procedures can lead to enhanced earning potential in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Kingsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Kingsville, TX in 2026?
Is Kingsville, TX a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Kingsville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Kingsville?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Kingsville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $124,957 for optometristsin the Kingsville 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 Kingsville 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