Optometrist Salary in Cedar City, UT: $136,099 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Cedar City, UT earns a median $136,099/year (≈ $65.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Cedar City's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $138,735 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar City, Utah, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $136,099 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national average of $140,612. The local salary range varies significantly, with practitioners earning between $78,937 and $190,295, illustrating the differences in compensation driven by factors such as practice ownership versus employment with retail chains or group practices. Cedar City's optometry market appears somewhat competitive, shaped by the choice of structures that optometrists pursue, whether they are independent practitioners, employed by larger networks, or part of retail optical settings. As the job landscape evolves, practitioners must consider how their operational choices align with salary potential in this market.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,937 | $37.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,006 | $54.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,099 | $65.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,522 | $76.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,295 | $91.49 |
Median Salary Position
3.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar City
In Cedar City, UT, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,358 (2026 est.). At $136,099, the local median is 3.21% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar City: You'd be above the median
How Cedar City Optometrist Pay Compares
Cedar City median: $136,099/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $137,891 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.21% less |
Optometrists in Cedar City, UT earn a median of $136,099 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.21% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.30% below the Utah state average of $137,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar City has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,099 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,735 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,550
2025 BLS Actual
$132,186
2026 Current Est.
$136,099
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Cedar City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,261 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,558 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,627 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,891 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,186 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,099 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar City metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,550 (2019) to $132,186 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,577 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar City 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) | $78,937 – $114,006 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,006 – $136,099 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,099 – $159,522 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,522 – $190,295 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Cedar City
Analyzing the local job market, Cedar City currently employs nine optometrists, indicating a relatively small but close-knit professional community. The cost of living index stands at 98.1, slightly below the national average, which suggests that the purchasing power here can be favorable for optometrists' earnings. To maximize their income, practitioners may consider working in private optometry practices or expanding their skill sets through residency training, which opens doors to higher-paying roles, particularly in ophthalmology collaborations or specialty practices. The spread in pay is influenced by the mix of private practices, retail chains, and the growing trend of private equity acquisitions, affecting employment terms and potentially driving salaries down. For those seeking to enhance their optometrist pay in Cedar City, developing strategic partnerships with local healthcare providers and continuing education in expanded scopes of practice could be key strategies for increasing earning potential.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
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 $132,186 for optometristsin the Cedar City 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 Cedar City 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