Optometrist Salary in San Marcos, TX: $137,454 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in San Marcos, TX earns a median $137,454/year (≈ $66.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in San Marcos's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $143,181 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an optometrist's median annual salary in San Marcos, Texas, is projected to reach $137,454, slightly below the national median of $140,612. This salary reflects a range from $79,723 at the 10th percentile to $199,827 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape for practitioners in the area. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, show that many optometrists in San Marcos are either practice owners or employed in various settings, including private practices and retail chains. As competition remains significant, understanding the market dynamics, including the remuneration strategies of different employers, is crucial for professionals considering their options in this vibrant city.
About the San Marcos Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,723 | $38.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,178 | $52.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,454 | $66.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,598 | $79.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,827 | $96.07 |
Median Salary Position
2.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Marcos
In San Marcos, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,104 (2026 est.). At $137,454, the local median is 2.25% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Marcos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Marcos Optometrist Pay Compares
San Marcos median: $137,454/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Marcos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,363 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.25% less |
Optometrists in San Marcos, TX earn a median of $137,454 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.25% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.30% above the Texas state average of $134,363.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Marcos 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.
San Marcos, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $137,454 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,181 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,661
2025 BLS Actual
$133,502
2026 Current Est.
$137,454
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,661 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,398 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,508 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,898 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,214 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,502 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,454 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,522 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Marcos metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,661 (2019) to $133,502 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,522 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,861 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Marcos 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) | $79,723 – $109,178 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,178 – $137,454 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,454 – $164,598 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,598 – $199,827 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in San Marcos
With only 13 optometrists currently employed in San Marcos, the local job market exhibits a balance of opportunity and competition. The cost-of-living index of 96 suggests that the purchasing power of an optometrist salary in San Marcos is relatively beneficial compared to higher-priced areas. While retail optical chains may offer competitive salaries, private practices often lead in terms of potential profitability, especially for those who own their practice or work alongside ophthalmologists in an OD/MD model. Factors such as practice ownership equity and specialized residency training in ocular disease can substantially influence income potential. To maximize earnings in this city, professionals should consider pursuing advanced training and establishing strong local networks that can drive patient referrals, while remaining adaptable to the shifting landscape influenced by private equity acquisitions within the field.
More salary data for San Marcos, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in San Marcos?
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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 $133,502 for optometristsin the San Marcos 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 San Marcos 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