Optometrist Salary in Roanoke, VA: $149,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Roanoke, VA earns a median $149,189/year (≈ $71.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $159,359 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Roanoke, Virginia, the optometrist salary stands at a projected median of $149,189 for 2026, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national median of $140,612. This local figure sits within a broad salary range that spans from $62,620 at the lower end to an impressive $404,756 at the high end. These estimates, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlight the potential financial rewards available in this field. The compensation in Roanoke is bolstered by opportunities in OD/MD model surgical co-management, which can enhance revenue streams for optometrists, indicating a thriving job market for eye care professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,924 | $51.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,189 | $71.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $242,965 | $116.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $404,756 | $194.59 |
Median Salary Position
6.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $342,136 (2026 est.). At $149,189, the local median is 6.1% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roanoke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roanoke Optometrist Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $149,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $145,126 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +6.10% more |
Optometrists in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $149,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.10% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% above the Virginia state average of $145,126.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 6.38% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 93.618 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $149,189 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $159,359 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.82% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,640
2025 BLS Actual
$144,900
2026 Current Est.
$149,189
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,903 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 28.6% from $112,640 (2019) to $144,900 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,965 (36.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $62,620 – $106,924 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,924 – $149,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,189 – $242,965 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $242,965 – $404,756 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Roanoke
With 40 optometrists currently practicing in Roanoke, the local job market remains robust, particularly when considering the cost of living index of 93.618, below the national average. This favorable index suggests that the take-home pay for optometrists in the area allows for a comfortable lifestyle, enhancing their purchasing power. Employers such as ophthalmology practices and private optometry settings typically offer higher wages compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. The disparity in salaries may largely stem from factors such as practice ownership equity, the financial benefits of the OD/MD collaborative model, and the training levels of optometrists, including residency specializations. To maximize their earnings in Roanoke, optometrists may consider focusing on practice ownership or aligning with high-performing ophthalmology practices that provide revenue-sharing from surgical referrals.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Roanoke?
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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 $144,900 for optometristsin the Roanoke 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, 5-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