Optometrist Salary in Riverton, UT: $130,672 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Riverton, UT earns a median $130,672/year (≈ $62.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Riverton's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $133,203 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Riverton, UT, the 2026 median salary for an optometrist is projected to reach $130,672, reflecting the area's growing reputation as a location for lucrative optometric practices. This figure is notably below the national median of $140,612, positioning Riverton's optometrist pay at approximately 7.07% less than the national benchmark. The compensation range for optometrists in the region spans from $75,790 at the 10th percentile to $185,099 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a healthy variance in potential earnings. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data and account for regional cost adjustments, which can affect job attractiveness and market competitiveness. The emerging landscape of optometry in Riverton reflects a depth of opportunities for skilled professionals, especially those engaged in surgical co-management with ophthalmologists, further enhancing earning potential.
About the Riverton Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,002 | $49.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,672 | $62.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,618 | $74.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,099 | $88.99 |
Median Salary Position
7.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverton
In Riverton, UT, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,309 (2026 est.). At $130,672, the local median is 7.07% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverton: You'd be above the median
How Riverton Optometrist Pay Compares
Riverton median: $130,672/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $137,985 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.07% less |
Optometrists in Riverton, UT earn a median of $130,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.07% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.30% below the Utah state average of $137,985.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverton 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.
Riverton, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,672 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,203 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,102
2025 BLS Actual
$126,915
2026 Current Est.
$130,672
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Riverton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,102 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,704 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,512 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,711 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,538 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,951 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,915 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,672 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,102 (2019) to $126,915 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,438 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverton 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) | $75,790 – $103,002 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,002 – $130,672 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,672 – $154,618 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,618 – $185,099 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Riverton
The job market for optometrists in Riverton features 11 practicing professionals, contributing to a somewhat competitive environment given the area's modest cost of living index of 98.1. This index suggests that while salaries may lag behind national averages, purchasing power remains relatively stable, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, practice ownership typically yields the highest compensation due to shared revenues from surgical co-management models. Retail optical chains and vision insurance plans also provide relatively stable employment, but they may not match the income potential of private practices. To maximize earnings, aspiring optometrists in this market should consider advancing their qualifications by pursuing post-graduate residencies that focus on ocular disease or seeking opportunities that integrate the OD/MD model. Understanding the nuances of revenue share from surgical referral and equitable practice ownership can be a pathway to higher optometrist salaries in Riverton.
More salary data for Riverton, 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 $126,915 for optometristsin the Riverton 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 Riverton 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