Optometrist Salary in Nacogdoches, TX: $127,478 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Nacogdoches, TX earns a median $127,478/year (≈ $61.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Nacogdoches's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $132,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Nacogdoches, TX, command a competitive median annual salary of $127,478 in 2026, reflecting the area's evolving scope of practice including glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures. Salary estimates for this profession span notably from $73,938 at the 10th percentile to $180,713 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse pay scale driven by various employment models and experience levels. These figures are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS statistics, projected for 2026, and take into account local economic conditions and regional price adjustments. The job market here, albeit small with only seven optometrists currently employed, indicates a specialized need for quality eye care services, which may influence salary negotiations and employment opportunities within Nacogdoches.
About the Nacogdoches Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,938 | $35.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,770 | $48.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,478 | $61.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,213 | $72.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,713 | $86.88 |
Median Salary Position
9.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nacogdoches
In Nacogdoches, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,775 (2026 est.). At $127,478, the local median is 9.34% below the national median of $140,612.
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How Nacogdoches Optometrist Pay Compares
Nacogdoches median: $127,478/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nacogdoches Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,329 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.34% less |
Optometrists in Nacogdoches, TX earn a median of $127,478 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.34% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.10% below the Texas state average of $134,329.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nacogdoches 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.
Nacogdoches, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,478 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,790 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,485
2025 BLS Actual
$123,813
2026 Current Est.
$127,478
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Nacogdoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,023 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,689 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,859 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,543 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,735 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,813 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,478 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,251 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nacogdoches metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $104,485 (2019) to $123,813 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,251 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,766 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nacogdoches 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) | $73,938 – $100,770 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,770 – $127,478 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,478 – $151,213 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,213 – $180,713 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Nacogdoches
Analyzing the local job market further reveals that Nacogdoches's cost of living index stands at 96, suggesting that optometrists enjoy a favorable purchasing power compared to national averages. Although retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision traditionally offer a different pay structure, private practices often provide higher compensation due to equity stakes and the potential for surgical revenue sharing when working alongside ophthalmologists in OD/MD models. Factors contributing to earnings variability include residency training, especially in ocular diseases, which can enhance a candidate's marketability in the Nacogdoches area. To maximize pay, current ODs or optometry students should consider positions that leverage these advanced skills, target private practices, and negotiate terms carefully to align with the growth trajectory of their career and the evolving scope of optometry in Texas.
More salary data for Nacogdoches, 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 $123,813 for optometristsin the Nacogdoches 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 Nacogdoches 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