Optometrist Salary in New Braunfels, TX: $116,087 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in New Braunfels, TX earns a median $116,087/year (≈ $55.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in New Braunfels's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $120,924 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in New Braunfels, TX, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $116,087, a figure that reflects well below the national median of $140,612. Local estimates show a salary range for optometrists from $67,331 at the 10th percentile to $169,601 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on factors such as experience, practice setting, and specialization. These numbers are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and cost of living averages. With surgical co-management revenue opportunities available through the OD/MD model playing a crucial role in heightening earnings potential, the job market for optometrists remains competitive in New Braunfels, signaling promise for residents exploring optometry as a career path.
About the New Braunfels Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,331 | $32.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,167 | $43.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,087 | $55.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,514 | $67.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,601 | $81.53 |
Median Salary Position
17.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Braunfels
In New Braunfels, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,270 (2026 est.). At $116,087, the local median is 17.44% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Braunfels: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Braunfels Optometrist Pay Compares
New Braunfels median: $116,087/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Braunfels Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,360 | -13.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -17.44% less |
Optometrists in New Braunfels, TX earn a median of $116,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.44% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 13.60% below the Texas state average of $134,360.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Braunfels 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.
New Braunfels, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $116,087 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,924 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,149
2025 BLS Actual
$112,750
2026 Current Est.
$116,087
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in New Braunfels (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,149 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,685 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,861 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,087 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,524 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Braunfels metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $95,149 (2019) to $112,750 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,524 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,375 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Braunfels 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) | $67,331 – $90,167 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,167 – $116,087 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,087 – $139,514 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,514 – $169,601 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in New Braunfels
Currently, New Braunfels has 15 practicing optometrists, reflecting a relatively stable local job market. The cost of living index stands at 96, which is lower than the national average and enhances the purchasing power of optometrists working in the area. Among employers, ophthalmology practices utilizing the OD/MD model generally offer the most competitive pay due to shared surgical revenue, while private and retail chains may vary with some offering lower compensation. Factors influencing pay differences include practice ownership, the presence of residency training in ocular disease, and the business model of employed optometrists—whether they are positioned in independently owned practices or under corporate ownership. To maximize salary potential, optometrists in New Braunfels should consider pursuing residency training, focusing on specialty areas, and exploring partnership or ownership opportunities in their practice settings.
More salary data for New Braunfels, 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 $112,750 for optometristsin the New Braunfels 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 New Braunfels 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