Optometrist Salary in Utah: $127,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Utah's 41 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $127,800/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Utah sits at BEA RPP 98.1 (2% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $130,275 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Murray ($137,826), Salt Lake City ($137,250), West Jordan ($136,121).
The average median salary for optometrists in Utah is projected to be $127,800 in 2026, which is approximately 9.1% lower than the national median of $140,612. Significant salary variations exist among different cities, with the highest-paying city, Murray, expected to offer $141,906, while St. George will see the lowest at $82,358. This more than $59,000 salary difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for eye care services, and local competition. Utah’s regulatory environment influences optometrists as well, with state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws supporting a comprehensive role in primary eye care. These factors contribute to a growing job market for optometrists, with expected growth at an annual rate of 2.96%. Major metro areas like Salt Lake City ($141,313), West Jordan ($140,150), West Valley City ($139,928), and Sandy ($139,648) show strong demand, reflecting a heightened need for eye care professionals across the state. Overall, the stable outlook for optometrists in Utah suggests continual opportunities shaped by both state-specific needs and broader healthcare trends.
Utah Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Utah: $36,355 (lowest entry-level) to $510,229 (highest top earner)
Utah vs National Average
Utah optometrists earn 9.11% less than the national median ($-12,812/year difference).
Utah Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Utah range from $62,713 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $199,565 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $127,800. The Utah median is $12,812 below the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $61.44/hr. Approximately 673 optometrists are employed across 41 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,119
2025 BLS Actual
$124,126
2026 Current Est.
$127,800
2019–2027 Growth
+60.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Utah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,119 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,052 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,563 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,453 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,271 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,126 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utah metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 51.2% from $82,119 (2019) to $124,126 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,464 (60.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utah 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Utah
Lowest Paying Cities in Utah
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| St. George | $82,358 |
| Lehi | $87,037 |
| Orem | $87,869 |
| Provo | $88,803 |
| Clinton | $127,553 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Utah
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Utah cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray | $141,906 | 98.1 | $144,654 |
| West Jordan | $140,150 | 98.1 | $142,864 |
| West Valley City | $139,928 | 98.1 | $142,638 |
| Sandy | $139,648 | 98.1 | $142,353 |
| South Jordan | $138,850 | 98.1 | $141,539 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Utah
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $62,713 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $127,800 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $199,565 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Utah metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 41 Cities in Utah
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murray | $141,906 |
| 2 | Salt Lake City | $141,313 |
| 3 | West Jordan | $140,150 |
| 4 | West Valley City | $139,928 |
| 5 | Sandy | $139,648 |
| 6 | South Jordan | $138,850 |
| 7 | Draper | $137,582 |
| 8 | Layton | $137,134 |
| 9 | Holladay | $136,601 |
| 10 | Spanish Fork | $136,581 |
| 11 | American Fork | $136,291 |
| 12 | Saratoga Springs | $136,141 |
| 13 | Cedar City | $136,099 |
| 14 | Ogden | $136,072 |
| 15 | Cottonwood Heights | $135,638 |
| 16 | Midvale | $135,638 |
| 17 | Roy | $135,585 |
| 18 | Tooele | $135,488 |
| 19 | Herriman | $135,442 |
| 20 | Taylorsville | $134,447 |
| 21 | Kaysville | $134,246 |
| 22 | Syracuse | $134,044 |
| 23 | Washington | $134,000 |
| 24 | Logan | $133,677 |
| 25 | Millcreek | $133,246 |
| 26 | Bountiful | $132,384 |
| 27 | Clearfield | $131,763 |
| 28 | Pleasant Grove | $131,678 |
| 29 | Springville | $130,864 |
| 30 | Eagle Mountain | $130,811 |
| 31 | Riverton | $130,672 |
| 32 | Vineyard | $130,458 |
| 33 | Highland | $129,815 |
| 34 | Payson | $129,545 |
| 35 | Park City | $128,549 |
| 36 | North Ogden | $128,186 |
| 37 | Clinton | $127,553 |
| 38 | Provo | $88,803 |
| 39 | Orem | $87,869 |
| 40 | Lehi | $87,037 |
| 41 | St. George | $82,358 |
More Utah Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Utah in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Utah?
How does Utah optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Utah?
How many optometrists are employed in Utah?
Which Utah city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Utah. State averages are employment-weighted across 41 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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