Optometrist Salary in Lubbock, TX: $144,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lubbock, TX earns a median $144,216/year (≈ $69.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lubbock's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $157,929 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lubbock, TX, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $144,216 in 2026, reflecting a 2.56% increase over the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession spans from $61,076 at the 10th percentile to $161,802 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse pay scale across various practice settings. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the economic potential within the state, particularly given Texas's expanding scope of practice, which now includes treatments such as glaucoma management and oral medications. With 60 optometrists currently employed in Lubbock, the local job market appears stable and offers growth opportunities amidst a changing health care environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,076 | $29.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,986 | $59.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,216 | $69.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,508 | $71.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,802 | $77.79 |
Median Salary Position
2.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lubbock
In Lubbock, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,726 (2026 est.). At $144,216, the local median is 2.56% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lubbock: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Lubbock Optometrist Pay Compares
Lubbock median: $144,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lubbock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,279 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.56% more |
Optometrists in Lubbock, TX earn a median of $144,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.56% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 7.40% above the Texas state average of $134,279.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lubbock has a cost of living 8.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lubbock, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.317 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $144,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,929 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,204
2025 BLS Actual
$140,070
2026 Current Est.
$144,216
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,204 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,075 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,809 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,239 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lubbock metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $118,204 (2019) to $140,070 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,281 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lubbock 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) | $61,076 – $122,986 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,986 – $144,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,216 – $149,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,508 – $161,802 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lubbock
Factors contributing to optometrist pay in Lubbock primarily revolve around the employment setting and additional training. Private optometry practices tend to offer competitive salaries, especially for those owning their practice or aligning with ophthalmology groups in an OD/MD model. Retail optical chains may pay less on average, but they provide stable employment opportunities. Moreover, Lubbock's cost-of-living index at 91.317 suggests that the purchasing power for optometrists remains favorable, enhancing their take-home earnings despite regional salary variances. Residency-trained optometrists, particularly those specializing in ocular disease, may find roles that command higher salaries and better benefits. To maximize earnings, professionals should consider networking within Lubbock’s health care community, seeking positions in practices that emphasize specialty care, which can lead to increased salary and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 $140,070 for optometristsin the Lubbock 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, 3-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