Optometrist Salary in Wichita Falls, TX: $137,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Wichita Falls, TX earns a median $137,728/year (≈ $66.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Wichita Falls's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $143,467 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Wichita Falls, TX, is projected to be $137,728, a figure that reflects the comprehensive scope of practice available in the state, including glaucoma management, prescribing oral medications, and performing select laser procedures. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $79,882 at the 10th percentile to $201,599 at the 90th percentile. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, suggest a competitive landscape for optometrists considering their earning potential. Despite being slightly below the national median of $140,612, the growth rate of 2.96% indicates a solid demand for these healthcare professionals, highlighting the sustained need for eye care services within the community.
About the Wichita Falls Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,882 | $38.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,192 | $53.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,728 | $66.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,432 | $79.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,599 | $96.93 |
Median Salary Position
2.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita Falls
In Wichita Falls, TX, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,717 (2026 est.). At $137,728, the local median is 2.05% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Falls Optometrist Pay Compares
Wichita Falls median: $137,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $134,368 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.05% less |
Optometrists in Wichita Falls, TX earn a median of $137,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.05% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.50% above the Texas state average of $134,368.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita Falls 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.
Wichita Falls, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $137,728 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,467 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,885
2025 BLS Actual
$133,768
2026 Current Est.
$137,728
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Wichita Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,628 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,013 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,155 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,844 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,768 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,804 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita Falls metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,885 (2019) to $133,768 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,804 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,919 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita Falls 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) | $79,882 – $112,192 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,192 – $137,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,728 – $165,432 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,432 – $201,599 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Wichita Falls
With only 20 optometrists employed in Wichita Falls, the local job market reflects a manageable competitive environment. The cost of living index here is pegged at 96, indicating that residents may face slightly less financial strain than the national average, enhancing the take-home purchasing power for optometrists. Employers in this area, ranging from solo private practices to larger retail chains, offer varying pay scales, with private optometry practices often providing the highest compensation due to practice ownership equity and referrals from ophthalmology partnerships. Factors contributing to the salary spread include individual practice models, additional revenue streams from surgical referrals, as well as varying levels of residency training in ocular disease. To maximize earnings, it is advisable for optometrists in Wichita Falls to consider opportunities that leverage partnerships with ophthalmologists and to stay informed on residency training pathways, which can lead to enhanced earning potential in their practice settings.
More salary data for Wichita Falls, 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 $133,768 for optometristsin the Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls 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