Optometrist Salary in Ellensburg, WA: $144,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Ellensburg, WA earns a median $144,064/year (≈ $69.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Ellensburg's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $134,138 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected earnings for an optometrist in Ellensburg, Washington, reflect the evolving scope of practice, which now includes glaucoma management and the prescription of oral medications. With a median annual salary estimated at $144,064, Ellensburg's optometrists earn slightly above the national median of $140,612, highlighting the area's competitive pay dynamics. Salaries in this region range from $83,557 at the 10th percentile to $199,513 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant salary variability based on factors such as practice setting, professional experience, and additional training. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, indicating favorable compensation for those in the field as Ellensburg retains a strong job market for optometrists.
About the Ellensburg Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,557 | $40.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,512 | $56.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,064 | $69.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,895 | $81.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,513 | $95.92 |
Median Salary Position
2.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ellensburg
In Ellensburg, WA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,956 (2026 est.). At $144,064, the local median is 2.45% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Ellensburg: You'd be above the median
How Ellensburg Optometrist Pay Compares
Ellensburg median: $144,064/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ellensburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $151,010 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.45% more |
Optometrists in Ellensburg, WA earn a median of $144,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.60% below the Washington state average of $151,010.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ellensburg has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ellensburg, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $144,064 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,138 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,079
2025 BLS Actual
$139,922
2026 Current Est.
$144,064
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Ellensburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,079 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,947 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,673 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,096 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,632 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,922 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,328 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ellensburg metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $118,079 (2019) to $139,922 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,328 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,249 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ellensburg 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) | $83,557 – $116,512 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,512 – $144,064 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,064 – $168,895 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,895 – $199,513 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Ellensburg
With only six optometrists currently employed in Ellensburg, the local job market is relatively small but stable. The cost-of-living index of 107.4 suggests that while living expenses are slightly above the national average, the compensation packages for optometrists are structured to accommodate this. Among potential employers in the area, private optometry practices and ophthalmology practices typically offer the highest salaries, particularly for those with residency training or who work alongside ophthalmologists in an OD/MD model. However, variations in salary can arise from practice ownership equity or employment in private equity-acquired practices that might be subject to different compensation terms. For optometrists looking to maximize their pay in Ellensburg, focusing on building skills in specialized areas like ocular disease management or seeking partnerships in well-established practices could enhance their earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Ellensburg, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Ellensburg?
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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 $139,922 for optometristsin the Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg 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