Optometrist Salary in Cottonwood Heights, UT: $135,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Cottonwood Heights, UT earns a median $135,638/year (≈ $65.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Cottonwood Heights's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $138,265 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottonwood Heights, Utah, the projected median annual pay for an optometrist is $135,638 for 2026, reflecting a competitive market compared to the national median of $140,612. Optometrists in the area can expect a salary range from $78,671 at the lower end to $193,124 at the higher end. These figures, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, indicate a robust local job market, although slightly below the national average. The compensation landscape is shaped by local practice ownership, employment models such as retail chains versus private practices, and whether optometrists work alongside ophthalmologists in an OD/MD setting. Cottonwood Heights's competitive pay can be partly attributed to these structural dynamics within the local optometry industry.
About the Cottonwood Heights Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,671 | $37.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,802 | $51.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,638 | $65.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,406 | $77.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,124 | $92.85 |
Median Salary Position
3.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottonwood Heights
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,453 (2026 est.). At $135,638, the local median is 3.54% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Cottonwood Heights: You'd be above the median
How Cottonwood Heights Optometrist Pay Compares
Cottonwood Heights median: $135,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottonwood Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $137,984 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.54% less |
Optometrists in Cottonwood Heights, UT earn a median of $135,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.70% below the Utah state average of $137,984.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottonwood Heights 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.
Cottonwood Heights, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,265 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,173
2025 BLS Actual
$131,739
2026 Current Est.
$135,638
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Cottonwood Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,173 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,874 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,903 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,147 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,196 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,472 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,739 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottonwood Heights metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,173 (2019) to $131,739 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,480 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottonwood Heights 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) | $78,671 – $107,802 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,802 – $135,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,638 – $161,406 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,406 – $193,124 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Cottonwood Heights
The job market in Cottonwood Heights currently employs five optometrists, providing a modest but stable career landscape. Given the cost-of-living index of 98.1, many optometrists might find their purchasing power holds up relatively well against national averages. However, the highest-paying opportunities are likely found in private practices, particularly those that are independently owned or part of groups with a strong foothold in the area. These practices often offer additional compensation tied to ownership equity and shared revenue models in collaboration with ophthalmology. Given the ongoing integration of optometrists into more comprehensive roles, including the management of glaucoma and other medical conditions, there is a tangible opportunity to enhance salary potential through additional training or specialization. Optometrists looking to maximize their salary in Cottonwood Heights may consider pursuing advanced residency training or seeking employment in practices actively engaging in the evolving landscape of optometric care in the region.
More salary data for Cottonwood Heights, 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 $131,739 for optometristsin the Cottonwood Heights 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 Cottonwood Heights 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