Optometrist Salary in Annandale, VA: $137,679 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Annandale, VA earns a median $137,679/year (≈ $66.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Annandale's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $133,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Annandale, Virginia, are poised to earn a competitive median annual salary of $137,679 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $140,612. This figure reflects a salary range that spans from $79,854 at the 10th percentile to as much as $200,304 for those in the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take into account regional pricing variations and the local demand for optometric services. With a scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, the prescription of oral medications, and select laser procedures, optometrists in this region are well-positioned within a growing healthcare sector, indicating a robust job market for these professionals.
About the Annandale Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,854 | $38.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,840 | $53.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,679 | $66.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,126 | $79.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,304 | $96.30 |
Median Salary Position
2.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Annandale
In Annandale, VA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,450 (2026 est.). At $137,679, the local median is 2.09% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Annandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Annandale Optometrist Pay Compares
Annandale median: $137,679/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Annandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $145,078 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.09% less |
Optometrists in Annandale, VA earn a median of $137,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.09% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.10% below the Virginia state average of $145,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Annandale has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Annandale, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,679 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,410 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,846
2025 BLS Actual
$133,721
2026 Current Est.
$137,679
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Annandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,846 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,587 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,707 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,109 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,184 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,721 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,679 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Annandale metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,846 (2019) to $133,721 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,908 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Annandale 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) | $79,854 – $111,840 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,840 – $137,679 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,679 – $166,126 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,126 – $200,304 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Annandale
Currently, Annandale employs nine optometrists, suggesting a relatively intimate job market. The cost of living index stands at 103.2, which is slightly above the national average and can impact the take-home pay of local practitioners. While private optometry practices and ophthalmology settings are often contenders for higher salaries, retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks also play significant roles in the local economy. Variations in compensation between lower and higher salaries might be influenced by factors such as whether one operates in a retail versus a private practice, the presence of post-residency training, and the equity opportunities in practice ownership versus employee models. For optometrists aiming to maximize their pay in Annandale, targeting residency-trained positions, negotiating equity stakes in private practices, or exploring opportunities in integrated OD/MD models could lead to more favorable financial outcomes in this distinct market.
More salary data for Annandale, VA:
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 $133,721 for optometristsin the Annandale 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 Annandale 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