Optometrist Salary in Danville, VA: $141,879 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Danville, VA earns a median $141,879/year (≈ $68.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Danville's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $137,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Danville, VA, the compensation for optometrists reflects the region's expanding scope of practice, including roles in glaucoma management and the prescription of oral medications. Emerging data for 2026 indicates a median annual salary of $141,879, with a range from $82,290 at the lower end to $200,513 for the upper 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost of living differences. The slightly elevated salary compared to the national median of $140,612 suggests that optometrists in Danville could secure above-average earnings as new practitioners enter the market and the demand for specialized eye care grows.
About the Danville Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,290 | $39.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,766 | $53.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,879 | $68.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,028 | $80.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,513 | $96.40 |
Median Salary Position
0.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Danville
In Danville, VA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,223 (2026 est.). At $141,879, the local median is 0.9% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Danville: You'd be above the median
How Danville Optometrist Pay Compares
Danville median: $141,879/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Danville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $145,070 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.90% more |
Optometrists in Danville, VA earn a median of $141,879 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% below the Virginia state average of $145,070.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Danville has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Danville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,879 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,480 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,288
2025 BLS Actual
$137,800
2026 Current Est.
$141,879
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Danville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,288 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,113 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,419 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,721 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,048 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,216 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,879 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,078 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Danville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,288 (2019) to $137,800 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,078 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,790 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Danville 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) | $82,290 – $111,766 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,766 – $141,879 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,879 – $168,028 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,028 – $200,513 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Danville
For optometrists currently practicing in Danville, the local job market is relatively stable, with only seven optometrists employed in the area, highlighting a niche but established community of eye care professionals. The cost of living index stands at 103.2, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average. This reality affects take-home pay, emphasizing the need for practitioners to navigate their career strategies wisely. Employers such as private optometry practices and VA medical centers are notable in this market, with pay often reflecting experience, ownership stakes, and specialty training. Factors that contribute to the salary variance include working within an OD/MD model, potential equity in practice ownership, and post-acquisition conditions in private equity settings. Optometrists aiming to maximize their earnings might consider pursuing residency training and seeking out roles within integrated care models or practices focused on advanced ocular treatments to align with the future direction of the field.
More salary data for Danville, 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 $137,800 for optometristsin the Danville 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 Danville 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