Optometrist Salary in Rowlett, TX: $131,575 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Rowlett, TX earns a median $131,575/year (≈ $63.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Rowlett's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $137,057 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $131,575 for 2026, optometrists in Rowlett, TX are positioned competitively within the local healthcare market, although this figure falls short of the national median of $140,612. The salary range here is quite broad, with earnings spanning from $76,313 at the 10th percentile to $195,532 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the unique economic environment of Rowlett, where the OD/MD model enables optometrists to benefit from surgical co-management revenues, thereby enhancing compensation opportunities. The demand for optometric services alongside the evolving scope of practice suggests a steady job market for optometrists in the area.
About the Rowlett Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,313 | $36.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,179 | $50.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,575 | $63.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,110 | $76.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,532 | $94.00 |
Median Salary Position
6.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rowlett
In Rowlett, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,219 (2026 est.). At $131,575, the local median is 6.43% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rowlett: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rowlett Optometrist Pay Compares
Rowlett median: $131,575/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rowlett Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,260 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.43% less |
Optometrists in Rowlett, TX earn a median of $131,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.43% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.00% below the Texas state average of $134,260.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rowlett 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.
Rowlett, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,575 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,057 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,842
2025 BLS Actual
$127,792
2026 Current Est.
$131,575
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Rowlett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,842 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,462 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,311 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,518 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,385 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,775 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,792 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,575 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,469 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rowlett metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,842 (2019) to $127,792 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,469 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,627 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rowlett 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) | $76,313 – $104,179 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,179 – $131,575 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,575 – $160,110 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,110 – $195,532 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Rowlett
In Rowlett, the employment landscape consists of 15 optometrists working within a cost-of-living index of 96, indicating a more affordable environment when compared to the national average. This affordability contributes positively to the purchasing power of local practitioners. Higher salaries are typically associated with those who have established their own private practices or who work closely with ophthalmologists in OD/MD models, allowing them to share surgical revenue. The variation in pay can also be influenced by residency training in ocular disease, with practitioners on the VA pathway often attaining higher compensation. Additionally, employment terms can differ dramatically post-acquisition by private equity, which may impact overall salary structures. Thus, for those seeking to maximize earnings in Rowlett, pursuing advanced training and considering practice ownership opportunities could yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Rowlett, 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 $127,792 for optometristsin the Rowlett 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 Rowlett 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