Optometrist Salary in Plano, TX: $140,311 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Plano, TX earns a median $140,311/year (≈ $67.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Plano's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $146,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrists in Plano, TX, command a competitive median annual salary of $140,311, reflecting the strong demand for their expertise in eye care within the region. This figure is slightly below the national median of $140,612, yet still positions Plano as an attractive market for optometrists. The salary range for optometrists in the area varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning around $81,381 and the upper 90% earning as much as $211,021. Such variation underlines not only the level of experience and specialization but also the impact of co-management revenue from working alongside ophthalmologists in surgical settings. The data, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic conditions, emphasizes the need for optometrists to strategically position themselves amidst local workplace dynamics.
About the Plano Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,381 | $39.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,263 | $51.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,311 | $67.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,651 | $82.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,021 | $101.46 |
Median Salary Position
0.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plano
In Plano, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,640 (2026 est.). At $140,311, the local median is 0.21% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plano: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plano Optometrist Pay Compares
Plano median: $140,311/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plano Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,269 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.21% less |
Optometrists in Plano, TX earn a median of $140,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.50% above the Texas state average of $134,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plano 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.
Plano, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $140,311 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,157 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
$115,003
2025 BLS Actual
$136,277
2026 Current Est.
$140,311
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Plano (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,003 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,797 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,033 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,321 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,277 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,311 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,464 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plano metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $115,003 (2019) to $136,277 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,464 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,461 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plano 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) | $81,381 – $107,263 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,263 – $140,311 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,311 – $170,651 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,651 – $211,021 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Plano
In terms of job opportunities, there are currently 57 optometrists employed in Plano, contributing to a burgeoning healthcare sector. The local cost-of-living index stands at 96, indicating that residents enjoy a lower cost of living compared to national averages, which can enhance the practical purchasing power of their salaries. Among the various employers in Plano, ophthalmology practices offering OD/MD co-management tend to pay the most, particularly when they share revenue generated from surgical referrals. Factors influencing the wide salary spectrum include practice ownership equity, the structure of OD/MD collaborations, the contrast between retail chains and private practices, and the training received during residency programs. For optometrists looking to maximize their pay in Plano, focusing on high-value specialties such as ocular disease or pursuing opportunities in surgical co-management can be beneficial strategies, particularly as the scope of practice continues to expand.
More salary data for Plano, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Plano, TX in 2026?
Is Plano, TX a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Plano?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Plano?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Plano?
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 $136,277 for optometristsin the Plano 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 Plano 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