Optometrist Salary in Pharr, TX: $133,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Pharr, TX earns a median $133,404/year (≈ $64.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Pharr's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $138,963 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected optometrist salary in Pharr, TX is set at $133,404, reflecting the region's competitive compensation landscape while also showcasing a slight decline compared to the national median of $140,612. With a salary range extending from $77,374 at the 10th percentile up to $201,581 at the 90th percentile, the local labor market demonstrates varying levels of financial opportunity. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, accounting for regional economic factors. The expanding scope of practice for optometrists in Texas, including the ability to manage glaucoma and prescribe oral medications, also plays a pivotal role in shaping compensation levels, positioning Pharr as a notable destination for optometric professionals looking to capitalize on evolving healthcare demands.
About the Pharr Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,374 | $37.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,751 | $53.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,404 | $64.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,744 | $79.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,581 | $96.92 |
Median Salary Position
5.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pharr
In Pharr, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,207 (2026 est.). At $133,404, the local median is 5.13% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pharr: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pharr Optometrist Pay Compares
Pharr median: $133,404/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pharr Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,345 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.13% less |
Optometrists in Pharr, TX earn a median of $133,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.13% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $134,345.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pharr 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.
Pharr, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,404 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,963 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,342
2025 BLS Actual
$129,569
2026 Current Est.
$133,404
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pharr (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,342 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,998 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,928 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,152 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,569 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pharr metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,342 (2019) to $129,569 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,011 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pharr 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) | $77,374 – $110,751 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,751 – $133,404 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,404 – $164,744 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,744 – $201,581 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Pharr
The local job market currently employs 18 optometrists in Pharr, establishing a niche for professionals navigating both private practices and retail chain opportunities. The area's cost-of-living index, standing at 96, suggests that take-home pay may stretch further than in more expensive regions, enhancing overall living standards. Employers like independent optometry practices potentially offer stronger pay compared to retail chains, especially if optometrists are involved in profit-sharing arrangements or surgical referrals under the OD/MD model. The significant discrepancy between salaries in Pharr could be driven by various factors, including the level of residency training received, such as ocular disease specialization, and the recent trend of private-equity acquisitions of medical practices. To maximize earnings, optometrists should consider gaining additional qualifications, building relationships with local healthcare providers, and exploring opportunities in private practice settings, which may yield higher financial rewards in this evolving market.
More salary data for Pharr, 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 $129,569 for optometristsin the Pharr 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 Pharr 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