Optometrist Salary in Missouri City, TX: $134,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Missouri City, TX earns a median $134,500/year (≈ $64.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Missouri City's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $140,104 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists operating in Missouri City, Texas can expect a median annual salary of $134,500 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $140,612. This market presents a diverse employment landscape, where optometrists may find themselves in various settings, such as private practices, retail chains, or even ophthalmology groups, each contributing differently to overall compensation. The salary range for this profession is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at around $78,010, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $205,797. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living metrics, reflect the dynamics of practice ownership and employment structure prevalent in the area, which is crucial for potential job seekers considering where to establish their careers.
About the Missouri City Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,010 | $37.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,500 | $64.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,150 | $76.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,797 | $98.94 |
Median Salary Position
4.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missouri City
In Missouri City, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,787 (2026 est.). At $134,500, the local median is 4.35% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Missouri City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Missouri City Optometrist Pay Compares
Missouri City median: $134,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Missouri City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,365 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.35% less |
Optometrists in Missouri City, TX earn a median of $134,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.35% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.10% above the Texas state average of $134,365.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Missouri City 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.
Missouri City, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,500 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,104 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,240
2025 BLS Actual
$130,633
2026 Current Est.
$134,500
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Missouri City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,918 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,896 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,128 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,661 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,633 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,481 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri City metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,240 (2019) to $130,633 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,481 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,241 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri City 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) | $78,010 – $104,920 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,920 – $134,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,500 – $159,150 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,150 – $205,797 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Missouri City
The job market for optometrists in Missouri City is relatively stable, with approximately 12 professionals currently employed in the area, indicating a specific demand for optometric services. Living costs, represented by a cost-of-living index of 96, reveal that while salaries are competitive, the buying power remains slightly above the national average, enabling a comfortable lifestyle for optometrists. Employers such as private optometry practices generally provide higher pay than retail chains like LensCrafters or Pearle Vision, although benefits may differ significantly. Variations in pay often stem from factors like ownership stakes, the integration of surgical referrals in OD/MD models, and the level of residency training, particularly in specialties like ocular disease. Optometrists can maximize their earnings by considering positions in private practice settings or ophthalmology groups, which may offer advantages like revenue sharing and diverse clinical experiences, thereby enhancing their marketability in Missouri City, TX.
More salary data for Missouri City, 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 $130,633 for optometristsin the Missouri City 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 Missouri City 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