Optometrist Salary in Bellevue, WA: $174,471 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bellevue, WA earns a median $174,471/year (≈ $83.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $162,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.5% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Washington, the expanding scope of optometry, including the management of glaucoma, prescription of oral medications, and the option for laser procedures, significantly influences the local compensation dynamics. With a projected median salary of $174,471 for optometrists in 2026, Bellevue's pay is notably higher than the national median of $140,612, offering a compelling landscape for professionals in the field. The salary range, spanning from $101,193 at the 10th percentile to $270,430 at the 90th percentile, illustrates the variability in compensation based on experience, practice setting, and specialization. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect not only the local demand for optometry services but also the competitive nature of the job market in Bellevue, contributing to a promising outlook for those entering the profession.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,193 | $48.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,412 | $64.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,471 | $83.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $212,003 | $101.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $270,430 | $130.02 |
Median Salary Position
24.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, WA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $169,237 (2026 est.). At $174,471, the local median is 24.08% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Optometrist Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $174,471/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $151,057 | +15.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +24.08% more |
Optometrists in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $174,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.08% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 15.50% above the Washington state average of $151,057.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $174,471 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $162,450 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$143,001
2025 BLS Actual
$169,455
2026 Current Est.
$174,471
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $143,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,476 | Actual |
| 2021 | $154,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $155,831 | Actual |
| 2023 | $163,611 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,115 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,455 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,471 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,635 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $143,001 (2019) to $169,455 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,635 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,634 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $101,193 – $134,412 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,412 – $174,471 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,471 – $212,003 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $212,003 – $270,430 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bellevue
The local job market currently employs 26 optometrists across Bellevue, with various opportunities that reflect both traditional and innovative practice models. The cost of living index, at 107.4, suggests that while salaries are higher than the national average, the increased expenses may affect overall purchasing power. Among the key employers in Bellevue, private optometry practices and ophthalmology centers tend to offer more lucrative compensation packages compared to larger retail chains. Factors influencing the wide salary spread include practice ownership equity, the collaborative OD/MD model that can generate additional revenue from surgical referrals, and the variances in compensation agreements across formerly private practices now under private equity ownership. Residents trained in ocular disease or those pursuing VA pathways often experience an additional earnings premium. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Bellevue, targeting employment in established practices that prioritize comprehensive care, pursuing additional training, and negotiating terms that leverage the expanded scope of practice can provide significant advantages.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
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 $169,455 for optometristsin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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