Optometrist Salary

Optometrist Salary in Leesburg, VA: $140,494 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Leesburg, VA earns a median $140,494/year (≈ $67.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Leesburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $136,138 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.

$140,494
Median Annual Salary
$67.54/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$81,487
Entry Level (P10)
$205,550
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrist Salary in Leesburg, VA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Leesburg, VA optometrist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the optometrist salary in Leesburg, VA is projected to be a median of $140,494, closely aligning with the national median of $140,612, although slightly below it by 0.08%. Salaries in this field can range significantly, from $81,487 at the lower tenth percentile to $205,550 at the upper ninetieth percentile. The local compensation reflects estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional economic considerations. Optometrists in Leesburg may find different earnings depending on whether they work in a private practice, are employed as associates, or are part of retail optical chains, affecting their overall pay scale and job satisfaction.

About the Leesburg Market

Salary estimated from Virginia average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$81,487$39.18
Lower Range (P25)$112,375$54.02
Median (P50)(typical)$140,494$67.54
Upper Range (P75)$169,021$81.26
Top Earners (P90)$205,550$98.82

Median Salary Position

$81,487$205,550
City Median: $140,494
National: $140,612
P10–P90 Range

0.08% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leesburg

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for optometrists in Leesburg. The median salary is $140,494, compared to the national median of $140,612.$73.3K$109.0K$144.6K$180.2K$215.8K$81.5K10th Pctl$112.4K25th Pctl$140.5KMedian$169.0K75th Pctl$205.6K90th PctlUS Median$140.6K

In Leesburg, VA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,063 (2026 est.). At $140,494, the local median is 0.08% below the national median of $140,612.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of optometrist pay in the Leesburg metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,702
per week
$11,707
per month
$140,487
per year

At 40 hours/week in Leesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Leesburg Optometrist Pay Compares

Leesburg median: $140,494/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryLeesburg Pays
Virginia Average$145,139-3.20% less
National Average$140,612-0.08% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing optometrist median salary in Leesburg ($140,494) with Virginia average ($145,139) and the US national median ($140,612).Leesburg$140,494Virginia Avg$145,139-3.20%US National$140,612-0.08%

Optometrists in Leesburg, VA earn a median of $140,494 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $145,139.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$140,494
Nominal Salary
103.2
CoL Index
$136,138
Adjusted Salary

Leesburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $140,494. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $136,138, a loss of $4,356.$115.7K$127.2K$138.7K$150.2K$161.7K$140,494NominalSalary$136,138CoL Adjusted(CoL: 103.2) -3.10%US Median $140.6K

Leesburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,494 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,138 — a 3.1% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$115,153

2025 BLS Actual

$136,455

2026 Current Est.

$140,494

2019–2027 Growth

+25.6%

Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Leesburg (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for optometrists in Leesburg. Baseline $115,153 in 2025, projected to $144,653 by 2027.$109.3K$119.6K$129.9K$140.2K$150.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$115.2K$118.0K$124.2K$125.5K$131.7K$134.9K$136.5K$140.5K$144.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$115,153Actual
2020$117,951Actual
2021$124,195Actual
2022$125,484Actual
2023$131,749Actual
2024$134,887Actual
2025$136,455Actual
2026(current)$140,494Estimated
2027$144,653Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leesburg metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $115,153 (2019) to $136,455 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,500 (25.62%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leesburg metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$81,487$112,375
3-5 years (Mid Career)$112,375$140,494
5+ years (Experienced)$140,494$169,021
10+ years (Top Earner)$169,021$205,550

OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Optometrist Job Market in Leesburg

The local job market features about 14 optometrists, a relatively small pool in a growing community where the cost-of-living index stands at 103.2, indicating a greater expense relative to the national average. To maximize take-home pay, practitioners might consider various avenues; those affiliated with ophthalmology practices tend to benefit from profit-sharing arrangements tied to surgical referrals, thereby enhancing earnings potential. Conversely, optometrists in retail settings often face fixed wages but may benefit from company-sponsored bonuses. Furthermore, optometrists with residency training in ocular disease may command higher salaries, especially given the evolving scope of practice in Virginia that includes glaucoma management and certain surgical procedures. Navigating which employer offers the best compensation will also depend on the structure of the practice—private equity ownership can significantly influence pay scales and job security in previously independent optometry practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do optometrists make in Leesburg, VA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median optometrist salary in Leesburg is $140,494/year ($67.54/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.96% annual growth). Salaries range from $81,487 at entry level (10th percentile) to $205,550 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Leesburg at 0.1% below the national median. Full-time optometrists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Leesburg, VA a good place to work as a optometrist?

Leesburg optometrist salaries are 0.1% below the national average and 3.2% below the Virginia state average. The metro area employs approximately 14 optometrists. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can optometrists make $100K in Leesburg?

Yes — the median optometrist salary in Leesburg is already $140,494, meaning more than half of optometrists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $205,550/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Leesburg?

After adjusting for Leesburg's cost-of-living index of 103.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $140,494 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $136,138 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Leesburg reduce the effective value of your salary by 3.1% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a optometrist make per hour in Leesburg?

Optometrists in Leesburg earn a median hourly rate of $67.54, which translates to approximately $140,494/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $39.18 for entry-level positions to $98.82 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem optometrists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Virginia

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

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 $136,455 for optometristsin the Leesburg 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 Leesburg is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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