Optometrist Salary in Blacksburg, VA: $143,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Blacksburg, VA earns a median $143,917/year (≈ $69.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Blacksburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $139,454 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Blacksburg, VA, is projected to reach a median of $143,917, reflecting a competitive landscape for eye care professionals in this area. Total compensation ranges significantly, from $83,472 at the 10th percentile to $207,437 at the 90th percentile, with a substantial presence of both private practices and retail chains impacting these figures. The local estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, making this data reflective of the specific market conditions in Blacksburg. Understanding the financial dynamics of ownership versus employment at retail chains is essential, as choices in practice structure can generate considerable variations in salary potential.
About the Blacksburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,472 | $40.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,911 | $55.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,917 | $69.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,796 | $83.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,437 | $99.73 |
Median Salary Position
2.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blacksburg
In Blacksburg, VA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,965 (2026 est.). At $143,917, the local median is 2.35% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Blacksburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blacksburg Optometrist Pay Compares
Blacksburg median: $143,917/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blacksburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $145,078 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.35% more |
Optometrists in Blacksburg, VA earn a median of $143,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.35% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% below the Virginia state average of $145,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blacksburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Blacksburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,917 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,454 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,959
2025 BLS Actual
$139,780
2026 Current Est.
$143,917
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Blacksburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,825 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,542 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,959 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,173 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,177 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blacksburg metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $117,959 (2019) to $139,780 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,177 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,218 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blacksburg 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) | $83,472 – $115,911 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,911 – $143,917 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,917 – $172,796 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,796 – $207,437 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Blacksburg
Currently, Blacksburg employs seven optometrists, which indicates a relatively stable job market in the field. With a cost of living index at 103.2, the area presents a modestly higher expense for residents compared to the national average, thus influencing the purchasing power of take-home income. Private optometry practices and ophthalmology partnerships generally provide higher pay than retail optical chains, which may struggle to match salaries offered by more established practices with stronger revenue streams. The variance between the lowest and highest-paying positions is shaped by multiple factors—ownership equity, the OD/MD model incorporating surgical profit-sharing, and specialized training such as residency in ocular disease. For those exploring how much do optometrists make in Blacksburg, aligning educational qualifications with practice specialties can significantly enhance overall earning potential in this market.
More salary data for Blacksburg, 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 $139,780 for optometristsin the Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg 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