Optometrist Salary in Texarkana, TX: $131,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Texarkana, TX earns a median $131,001/year (≈ $62.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Texarkana's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $136,459 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Texarkana, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $131,001, showcasing a competitive compensation in the local healthcare market, particularly given the state’s comprehensive scope of practice which includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and laser procedures. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $75,980 at the 10th percentile to $184,834 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parity, reflecting the economic context in which local optometrists operate. The breadth in salary illustrates the potential for earning variances influenced by factors such as practice type, experience, and specialized training.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,980 | $36.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,801 | $49.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,001 | $62.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,563 | $74.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,834 | $88.86 |
Median Salary Position
6.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
In Texarkana, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,854 (2026 est.). At $131,001, the local median is 6.84% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Texarkana: You'd be above the median
How Texarkana Optometrist Pay Compares
Texarkana median: $131,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Texarkana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,360 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.84% less |
Optometrists in Texarkana, TX earn a median of $131,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.84% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.50% below the Texas state average of $134,360.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Texarkana 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.
Texarkana, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,459 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,372
2025 BLS Actual
$127,235
2026 Current Est.
$131,001
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,372 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,981 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,804 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,006 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,847 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,235 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,879 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texarkana metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,372 (2019) to $127,235 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,507 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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) | $75,980 – $102,801 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,801 – $131,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,001 – $154,563 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,563 – $184,834 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Texarkana
With only nine optometrists currently employed in Texarkana, the job market remains niche, but this concentration creates opportunities for practitioners to establish themselves in the community. The cost-of-living index in Texarkana stands at 96, slightly below the national average, which can enhance the overall purchasing power of local optometrists despite slightly lower earnings than the national median of $140,612 for 2026. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups often provide the most competitive salaries, particularly for those opting for an OD/MD model. The variance in pay is driven by several factors, including ownership structures, practice locations, and whether practitioners possess residency training in ocular disease; those with advanced training may command higher salaries. For those starting their careers in Texarkana, networking within the community and considering positions in well-established practices can prove beneficial for maximizing earning potential.
More salary data for Texarkana, 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 $127,235 for optometristsin the Texarkana 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 Texarkana 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