Optometrist Salary in Stephenville, TX: $125,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Stephenville, TX earns a median $125,556/year (≈ $60.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Stephenville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $130,788 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Stephenville, Texas, can anticipate a median annual salary of $125,556 in 2026, a figure that reflects local market conditions and cost adjustments based on state-level data. Salary ranges vary significantly, with earnings projected between $77,867 at the lower end (P10) and $169,066 at the higher end (P90). Factors such as practice ownership versus employment in retail chains or large ophthalmology groups contribute to this variability. While many optometrists in this city may be part of smaller practices or associate roles, those who own their practices or work alongside physicians often have the potential to capture higher earnings. Given the employment of six optometrists currently in the area, the local market seems stable yet competitive for this healthcare profession.
About the Stephenville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,867 | $37.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,142 | $51.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,556 | $60.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,216 | $69.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,066 | $81.29 |
Median Salary Position
10.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stephenville
In Stephenville, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,199 (2026 est.). At $125,556, the local median is 10.71% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stephenville: You'd be above the median
How Stephenville Optometrist Pay Compares
Stephenville median: $125,556/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stephenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,284 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -10.71% less |
Optometrists in Stephenville, TX earn a median of $125,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.71% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 6.50% below the Texas state average of $134,284.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stephenville 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.
Stephenville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $125,556 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,788 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,909
2025 BLS Actual
$121,946
2026 Current Est.
$125,556
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Stephenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,909 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,409 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,142 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,839 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,946 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,272 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stephenville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $102,909 (2019) to $121,946 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,272 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,363 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stephenville 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) | $77,867 – $106,142 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,142 – $125,556 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,556 – $144,216 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,216 – $169,066 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Stephenville
In Stephenville, the average cost of living index stands at 96, which is below the national average. This lower cost may benefit optometrists, enhancing their overall purchasing power despite local salaries that are approximately 10.71% below the national median of $140,612. Private optometry practices usually offer the highest compensation, especially when optometrists hold ownership stakes and can share in the revenues generated. Optometrists trained in residencies, especially in ocular disease or preferred pathways such as VA programs, are likely to negotiate better salaries. The gap between high and low salaries in this region largely stems from practice ownership equity, as well as the differences in income for those employed by retail chains compared to private practices. Consequently, those in Stephenville looking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing ownership opportunities or aligning with higher-paying ophthalmology practices while being aware of the evolving scope of practice in the field.
More salary data for Stephenville, 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 $121,946 for optometristsin the Stephenville 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 Stephenville 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