Optometrist Salary in Kirkland, WA: $150,506 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Kirkland, WA earns a median $150,506/year (≈ $72.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Kirkland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $140,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Kirkland, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $150,506, outperforming the national median of $140,612 by over 7%. The local salary range for optometrists stretches from $87,294 at the tenth percentile to $218,801 at the ninetieth percentile. This variance reflects the diverse opportunities available within Kirkland's healthcare market, shaped partly by the expanded scope of practice for optometrists in Washington. With the ability to manage glaucoma, prescribe oral medications, and carry out certain laser procedures, the demand for skilled optometric professionals is likely to contribute to competitive compensation rates. Notably, these figures derive from projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions specific to Kirkland.
About the Kirkland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,294 | $41.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,539 | $56.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,506 | $72.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,575 | $86.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,801 | $105.19 |
Median Salary Position
7.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kirkland
In Kirkland, WA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,507 (2026 est.). At $150,506, the local median is 7.04% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kirkland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kirkland Optometrist Pay Compares
Kirkland median: $150,506/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kirkland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $150,959 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +7.04% more |
Optometrists in Kirkland, WA earn a median of $150,506 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.04% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.30% below the Washington state average of $150,959.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kirkland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kirkland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $150,506 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,136 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,359
2025 BLS Actual
$146,179
2026 Current Est.
$150,506
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Kirkland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,359 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,356 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $141,138 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,414 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,179 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,506 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,961 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kirkland metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $123,359 (2019) to $146,179 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,961 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,602 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkland 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) | $87,294 – $116,539 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,539 – $150,506 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,506 – $180,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,575 – $218,801 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Kirkland
The landscape of optometrist pay in Kirkland, WA, remains compelling, with a current workforce of 13 optometrists in the area. The cost of living index at 107.4 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, prompting a need for competitive salaries to maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically provide higher compensation compared to retail optical chains such as LensCrafters or Pearle Vision. The significant disparity in optometrist pay stems from various factors, including practice ownership equity, collaboration with ophthalmologists under the OD/MD model, and residency training in ocular disease, which can command a premium in the market. To maximize earnings, aspiring optometrists in Kirkland should consider pursuing residencies, exploring diverse practice settings, and negotiating terms vigorously with potential employers, especially as the employment landscape continues to change with increasing consolidation in the field.
More salary data for Kirkland, 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 $146,179 for optometristsin the Kirkland 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 Kirkland 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