Optometrist Salary in Port Arthur, TX: $138,032 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Port Arthur, TX earns a median $138,032/year (≈ $66.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Port Arthur's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $143,783 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Arthur, TX, the anticipated optometrist salary in 2026 is projected to be around $138,032 annually. This median stands slightly below the national average of $140,612, yet the salary range reflects the diverse opportunities available in the region, ranging from $80,059 to $200,557. These figures are derived from state-level BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, suggesting that while Port Arthur's compensation may lag slightly behind the national benchmark, local dynamics and the OD/MD surgical co-management model can provide supplemental income streams. This arrangement allows optometrists working alongside ophthalmologists to capitalize on additional revenue through a share in surgical referrals, influencing overall earnings potential in the area.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,059 | $38.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,571 | $52.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,032 | $66.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,225 | $79.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,557 | $96.42 |
Median Salary Position
1.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Arthur
In Port Arthur, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,498 (2026 est.). At $138,032, the local median is 1.83% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port Arthur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Port Arthur Optometrist Pay Compares
Port Arthur median: $138,032/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Arthur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,273 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.83% less |
Optometrists in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $138,032 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.83% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% above the Texas state average of $134,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Arthur 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.
Port Arthur, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $138,032 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,783 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,135
2025 BLS Actual
$134,064
2026 Current Est.
$138,032
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,135 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,884 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,019 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,285 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,161 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,064 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,032 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,118 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Arthur metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,135 (2019) to $134,064 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,118 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,983 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur 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) | $80,059 – $109,571 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,571 – $138,032 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,032 – $165,225 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,225 – $200,557 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Port Arthur
With only 12 optometrists currently employed in Port Arthur, competition does exist but is tempered by the city's cost of living index of 96, which is below the national average. This means that while salaries may be lower than in more populous regions, the actual purchasing power remains reasonable for residents. Private optometric practices, particularly those aligned with ophthalmology and those part of emerging private equity ownerships, typically offer the highest wages compared to retail chains or insurance plans. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to several factors, including practice ownership, specialty training, and employment conditions. Optometrists looking to maximize their pay in Port Arthur should consider integrating into medical models that emphasize surgical management, expanding their clinical skill set through residency programs, and networking within the local healthcare community to access better opportunities. These strategies can effectively enhance overall compensation in this unique market.
More salary data for Port Arthur, 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 $134,064 for optometristsin the Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur 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