Optometrist Salary in Rockwall, TX: $129,114 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Rockwall, TX earns a median $129,114/year (≈ $62.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Rockwall's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $134,494 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median optometrist salary in Rockwall, TX, for 2026 is $129,114, which reflects a competitive wage relative to the national median of $140,612. The local salary range highlights significant variability, with entry-level positions starting at $76,865 and experienced professionals earning up to $186,500. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, offer insight into the potential earnings for optometrists in Rockwall. Enhanced revenue opportunities from the OD/MD model, where optometrists collaborate with ophthalmologists in surgical co-management, contribute positively to overall compensation, positioning the market favorably for those entering the profession.
About the Rockwall Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,865 | $36.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,909 | $51.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,114 | $62.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,972 | $74.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,500 | $89.67 |
Median Salary Position
8.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockwall
In Rockwall, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,635 (2026 est.). At $129,114, the local median is 8.18% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockwall: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockwall Optometrist Pay Compares
Rockwall median: $129,114/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockwall Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,354 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.18% less |
Optometrists in Rockwall, TX earn a median of $129,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.18% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.90% below the Texas state average of $134,354.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockwall 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.
Rockwall, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $129,114 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,494 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,825
2025 BLS Actual
$125,402
2026 Current Est.
$129,114
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Rockwall (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,396 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,135 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,077 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,349 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,402 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,114 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockwall metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $105,825 (2019) to $125,402 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,111 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockwall 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) | $76,865 – $106,909 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,909 – $129,114 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,114 – $154,972 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,972 – $186,500 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Rockwall
Among the 12 optometrists currently practicing in Rockwall, the job market reflects a stable environment despite a cost-of-living index at 96, indicating affordability compared to the national average. Employment options vary, with competitive pay generally found in ophthalmology practices that operate under the OD/MD model, often facilitating higher income through shared surgical revenues. Employment with retail optical chains tends to offer lower salaries; however, the dynamics shift based on practice ownership and training backgrounds. Those with residency training in ocular disease are likely to command higher salaries. Optometrists can maximize their earning potential by pursuing residency options, considering positions with ophthalmology practices, and negotiating favorable employment terms, particularly in this evolving market environment in Rockwall, TX.
More salary data for Rockwall, 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 $125,402 for optometristsin the Rockwall 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 Rockwall 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