Optometrist Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $139,087 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $139,087/year (≈ $66.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $134,774 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Charlottesville, VA, the projected median optometrist salary for 2026 stands at $139,087, slightly below the national figure of $140,612. This salary reflects the local market's unique structure, which includes options for practice ownership, employed associate positions, and retail chain roles. With a salary range spanning from $82,140 at the 10th percentile to $200,127 at the 90th percentile, the compensation for optometrists in this city varies significantly based on factors like practice type and individual experience. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, indicating a robust understanding of how different venues, including private practices and retail chains, influence earnings in the optometry sector in Charlottesville.
About the Charlottesville Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,140 | $39.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,678 | $55.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,087 | $66.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,469 | $80.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,127 | $96.22 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,987 (2026 est.). At $139,087, the local median is 1.08% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlottesville Optometrist Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $139,087/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $145,184 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.08% less |
Optometrists in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $139,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.20% below the Virginia state average of $145,184.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,087 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,774 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,999
2025 BLS Actual
$135,088
2026 Current Est.
$139,087
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,999 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,769 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,951 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,429 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,535 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,087 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,204 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,999 (2019) to $135,088 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,204 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,205 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $82,140 – $114,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,678 – $139,087 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,087 – $166,469 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,469 – $200,127 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Charlottesville
The local job market for optometrists in Charlottesville is relatively stable, with 10 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index at 103.2 indicates that while living expenses are slightly higher than the national average, they still allow for reasonable purchasing power relative to the projected salaries. Among employers, private optometry practices often provide the most competitive pay, with higher earnings usually linked to those who are partnership-oriented or have extensive experience, particularly in the OD/MD model that shares revenue from surgical referrals. The differences in pay can be attributed to factors such as ownership equity, practice setting, and training, with residency-trained optometrists tending to command higher salaries. To maximize earnings in Charlottesville, optometrists should consider pursuing residency training and exploring opportunities in private practice, where ownership potential can lead to significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Charlottesville, 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 $135,088 for optometristsin the Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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