Optometrist Salary in Tyler, TX: $131,068 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Tyler, TX earns a median $131,068/year (≈ $63.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Tyler's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $142,224 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tyler, TX, the practice structure of optometrists significantly impacts their earnings, contributing to a projected median annual salary of $131,068 for 2026. This salary reflects a wider range from $95,897 at the lower decile to $185,884 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust variance in compensation based on practice type and patient population. Data derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys highlights how practice ownership versus employed positions or retail chain affiliations may influence earning potential, particularly in a market where optometrists must navigate both private and corporate healthcare environments. Given the dynamics of Tyler's job market and the local health system, there are promising opportunities for competitive salaries based on one's career path choice.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,897 | $46.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,685 | $52.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,068 | $63.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,360 | $77.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,884 | $89.37 |
Median Salary Position
6.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tyler
In Tyler, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,987 (2026 est.). At $131,068, the local median is 6.79% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tyler: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tyler Optometrist Pay Compares
Tyler median: $131,068/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tyler Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,291 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.79% less |
Optometrists in Tyler, TX earn a median of $131,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.79% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.40% below the Texas state average of $134,291.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tyler has a cost of living 7.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tyler, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.156 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,068 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,224 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,427
2025 BLS Actual
$127,300
2026 Current Est.
$131,068
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Tyler (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,427 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,037 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,863 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,065 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,682 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,068 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tyler metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,427 (2019) to $127,300 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,521 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tyler 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) | $95,897 – $108,685 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,685 – $131,068 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,068 – $160,360 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,360 – $185,884 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Tyler
With 40 optometrists currently employed in the area, Tyler's local market offers a modest level of competition among practitioners. The cost of living index at 92.156 suggests that while salaries are slightly lower than the national median, take-home purchasing power remains favorable. Employment settings, such as private optometry practices and ophthalmology partnerships, tend to provide higher pay compared to retail chains like Walmart Vision or LensCrafters. Specific factors, including ownership equity, the ability to perform advanced procedures alongside ophthalmologists, and the structure of corporate versus independent practices, can drive salary diversity within the profession. Aspiring optometrists should consider enhancing their qualifications through residency training in ocular disease or aligning with practices emphasizing advanced care models, positioning themselves strategically to maximize their pay potential in Tyler, TX.
More salary data for Tyler, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Tyler?
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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 $127,300 for optometristsin the Tyler 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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