Optometrist Salary in Lynchburg, VA: $131,799 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lynchburg, VA earns a median $131,799/year (≈ $63.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lynchburg's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $147,487 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.2% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lynchburg, VA, the optometrist salary reaches a median of $131,799 in 2026, reflecting the impact of an expanded scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and laser procedures. This compensation range spans from $63,959 at the P10 level to as high as $208,525 at the P90 level, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. While local salaries are slightly below the national median of $140,612, the job market in Lynchburg remains relatively stable, making it an important location for those considering a career in optometry or seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for eye care services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,959 | $30.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,678 | $50.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,799 | $63.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,340 | $77.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,525 | $100.25 |
Median Salary Position
6.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lynchburg
In Lynchburg, VA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,566 (2026 est.). At $131,799, the local median is 6.27% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lynchburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lynchburg Optometrist Pay Compares
Lynchburg median: $131,799/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lynchburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $145,153 | -9.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.27% less |
Optometrists in Lynchburg, VA earn a median of $131,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.27% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 9.20% below the Virginia state average of $145,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lynchburg has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lynchburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 89.363 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,799 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,487 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,026
2025 BLS Actual
$128,010
2026 Current Est.
$131,799
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lynchburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,026 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,651 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,718 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,799 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lynchburg metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,026 (2019) to $128,010 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,674 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lynchburg 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) | $63,959 – $105,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,678 – $131,799 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,799 – $160,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,340 – $208,525 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lynchburg
The job market for optometrists in Lynchburg is supported by approximately 40 professionals currently practicing in the area, providing a sense of community among practitioners. The cost of living index, sitting at 89.363, indicates that living expenses are below the national average, which positively affects overall purchasing power. Notably, private practices, especially those transitioning to private equity ownership, may offer better pay due to the dynamics of practice ownership and shared referral revenues from surgical collaborations with ophthalmologists. Factors influencing the salary range include the mix of retail chain practices versus private offices, as well as residency training in ocular disease that can lead to higher wage offers. Optometrists in Lynchburg looking to improve their pay should consider positioning themselves within practices that foster a collaborative environment or pursue additional training to enhance their marketability.
More salary data for Lynchburg, 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 $128,010 for optometristsin the Lynchburg 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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