Optometrist Salary in Waco, TX: $135,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Waco, TX earns a median $135,035/year (≈ $64.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Waco's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $140,661 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waco, Texas, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is estimated at $135,035. This figure represents a slight decrease of 3.97% compared to the national median of $140,612, underscoring the local market dynamics influenced by the cost of living and regional economic factors. With a salary range extending from $78,321 at the 10th percentile to as high as $205,966 at the 90th percentile, the financial landscape for optometrists in Waco allows for significant variability in earnings. This variance can often be attributed to practice ownership arrangements, particularly those that integrate with ophthalmologists, which can enhance revenue through surgical co-management. As Waco continues to develop, these salaries reflect both an opportunity for growth in the profession and the demand for eye care services in the region.
About the Waco Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,321 | $37.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,816 | $51.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,035 | $64.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,134 | $80.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,966 | $99.03 |
Median Salary Position
3.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,645 (2026 est.). At $135,035, the local median is 3.97% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Optometrist Pay Compares
Waco median: $135,035/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,363 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.97% less |
Optometrists in Waco, TX earn a median of $135,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.97% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.50% above the Texas state average of $134,363.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco 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.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,035 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,661 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,679
2025 BLS Actual
$131,153
2026 Current Est.
$135,035
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,679 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,368 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,609 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,189 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,153 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,032 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,679 (2019) to $131,153 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,353 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $78,321 – $106,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,816 – $135,035 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,035 – $167,134 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,134 – $205,966 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Waco
The job market for optometrists in Waco is robust, with 22 professionals currently employed in the area. A cost of living index of 96 indicates that purchasing power here is favorable relative to national averages. As such, optometrists may find that their salaries extend further in Waco compared to urban centers with higher costs. Among various employers, those in ophthalmology practices tend to offer the highest compensation, especially for those engaged in the OD/MD model, which capitalizes on shared revenue from surgical referrals. The disparity in pay levels can also be influenced by factors such as practice type, experience, residency training, and the terms of employment in private equity-acquired firms. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, nurturing relationships with local hospitals or outpatient surgery centers, exploring leadership roles, or pursuing further residency training could provide pathways to higher optometrist pay in Waco, TX.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $131,153 for optometristsin the Waco 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 Waco 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