Optometrist Salary in Lancaster, TX: $130,220 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lancaster, TX earns a median $130,220/year (≈ $62.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lancaster's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $135,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lancaster, TX, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is expected to reach $130,220, reflecting a competitive position in the regional market. This figure represents a notable distinction compared to the national median of $140,612, indicating a slight underperformance of about 7.39% in local compensation. The salary range for optometrists in Lancaster spans from $75,527 at the 10th percentile to $190,239 at the 90th percentile, underscoring a diverse income potential that can be influenced by various factors including practice setting and experience levels. Local estimates, based on data from 2025 BLS information adjusted for regional economic conditions, show that optometrists here can leverage the expanding OD/MD model for surgical co-management, which has been a significant revenue driver among practitioners.
About the Lancaster Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,527 | $36.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,220 | $62.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,605 | $75.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,239 | $91.46 |
Median Salary Position
7.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lancaster
In Lancaster, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,712 (2026 est.). At $130,220, the local median is 7.39% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lancaster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lancaster Optometrist Pay Compares
Lancaster median: $130,220/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lancaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,386 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.39% less |
Optometrists in Lancaster, TX earn a median of $130,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.39% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.10% below the Texas state average of $134,386.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lancaster 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.
Lancaster, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,220 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,646 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,732
2025 BLS Actual
$126,476
2026 Current Est.
$130,220
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,732 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,325 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,113 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,308 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,114 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,439 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,476 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,220 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lancaster metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $106,732 (2019) to $126,476 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,342 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lancaster 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) | $75,527 – $109,170 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,170 – $130,220 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,220 – $157,605 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,605 – $190,239 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lancaster
The job market for optometrists in Lancaster currently comprises eight employed professionals, reflecting a concentrated local landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 96, living expenses are below the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power for optometrists. Among employers, those who embrace the OD/MD model, particularly ophthalmology practices, tend to offer higher salaries due to shared revenue from surgical referrals. Conversely, retail optical chains may offer lower compensation often accompanied by less benefit flexibility. The pay disparity in Lancaster is influenced by factors such as ownership of practices, the presence of residency training focusing on ocular disease, and the employment dynamics in practices acquired by private equity firms. To maximize compensation in this local market, optometrists should consider strategies like pursuing specialized training, building a strong referral network, and seeking positions within practices that value collaboration with ophthalmologists.
More salary data for Lancaster, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Lancaster?
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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 $126,476 for optometristsin the Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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