Optometrist Salary in Williamsburg, VA: $137,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Williamsburg, VA earns a median $137,415/year (≈ $66.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Williamsburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $133,154 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Williamsburg, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $137,415, slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession in the area extends from $79,700 at the 10th percentile to $196,257 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse compensation landscape based on factors such as experience, practice ownership, and specialty training. With the state's expanded scope of practice—including the management of glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing limited laser procedures—optometrists in Williamsburg can expect varying levels of compensation based on the services they offer. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, highlight the competitive nature of the job market in this historic Virginia city.
About the Williamsburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,869 | $52.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,415 | $66.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,198 | $75.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,257 | $94.35 |
Median Salary Position
2.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williamsburg
In Williamsburg, VA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,557 (2026 est.). At $137,415, the local median is 2.27% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williamsburg: You'd be above the median
How Williamsburg Optometrist Pay Compares
Williamsburg median: $137,415/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williamsburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $145,105 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.27% less |
Optometrists in Williamsburg, VA earn a median of $137,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.27% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.30% below the Virginia state average of $145,105.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williamsburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williamsburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,415 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,154 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,629
2025 BLS Actual
$133,464
2026 Current Est.
$137,415
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Williamsburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,629 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,473 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,734 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,861 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,464 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,482 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williamsburg metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,629 (2019) to $133,464 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,482 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,853 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsburg 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) | $79,700 – $109,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,869 – $137,415 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,415 – $157,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,198 – $196,257 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Williamsburg
There are currently five optometrists employed in Williamsburg, leading to a tight-knit professional community. The cost of living index sits at 103.2, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which impacts take-home pay and purchasing power for optometrists. In the local market, private optometry practices generally provide higher compensation compared to retail optical chains, with those utilizing an OD/MD model that collaborates with ophthalmologists potentially offering even more lucrative opportunities due to surgical referral revenue sharing. The variation in salaries can also stem from factors like practice ownership equity, the advantages of residency training focused on ocular disease, and differing pay structures post-practice acquisitions by private equity firms. For those seeking to maximize their income in Williamsburg, considering affiliations with higher-paying employers, pursuing further specialization or residency training, and remaining adaptable to the evolving landscape of optometry can be strategic moves.
More salary data for Williamsburg, 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 $133,464 for optometristsin the Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg 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