Optometrist Salary in Midland, TX: $134,059 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Midland, TX earns a median $134,059/year (≈ $64.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Midland's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $139,645 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for optometrists in Midland, TX, is $134,059 in 2026, reflecting the complexities of the local job market. Salaries range significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $77,754 and the highest 90% making around $202,859. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost considerations, highlighting the potential for additional income through surgical co-management arrangements that many optometrists enter into with ophthalmologists. This model not only enhances revenue streams but also positions optometrists to capture a higher share of surgical referral revenues, impactful in a city where the demand for such services continues to grow.
About the Midland Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,754 | $37.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,802 | $51.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,059 | $64.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,549 | $79.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,859 | $97.52 |
Median Salary Position
4.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Midland
In Midland, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,105 (2026 est.). At $134,059, the local median is 4.66% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Midland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Midland Optometrist Pay Compares
Midland median: $134,059/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Midland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,328 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.66% less |
Optometrists in Midland, TX earn a median of $134,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.66% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.20% below the Texas state average of $134,328.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Midland 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.
Midland, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,059 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,645 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
$109,879
2025 BLS Actual
$130,205
2026 Current Est.
$134,059
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Midland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,879 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,548 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,507 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,737 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,715 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,226 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,205 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,059 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,027 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Midland metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,879 (2019) to $130,205 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,027 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,148 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Midland 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) | $77,754 – $107,802 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,802 – $134,059 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,059 – $164,549 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,549 – $202,859 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Midland
In Midland, there are currently 27 optometrists employed, a number that reflects both market competition and local healthcare needs. The cost of living index stands at 96, suggesting that despite a competitive salary structure, take-home pay affords practitioners a reasonable lifestyle compared to national averages. Among the highest-paying employers in the area are ophthalmology practices utilizing the OD/MD model, which can offer optometrists lucrative income opportunities through surgical collaborations. Factors influencing the pay range include ownership stakes in private practices, the growing trend of optometrists acquiring residency training in ocular disease, and the compensation agreements from private equity acquisitions of previously independent practices. To maximize earnings in Midland, optometrists should consider strategies such as establishing partnerships with ophthalmologists, pursuing further specialization, and staying informed about shifts in the healthcare landscape and potential job opportunities.
More salary data for Midland, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Midland, TX in 2026?
Is Midland, TX a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Midland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Midland?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Midland?
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 $130,205 for optometristsin the Midland 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 Midland 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