Optometrist Salary in Moses Lake, WA: $145,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Moses Lake, WA earns a median $145,684/year (≈ $70.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Moses Lake's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $135,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Moses Lake, Washington, factors such as the expanding scope of practice for optometrists—including glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures—contribute to competitive compensation levels. The 2026 median annual salary for an optometrist is projected to be $145,684, positioning it slightly above the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this region spans from $87,421 at the 10th percentile to $211,068 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living. With a current workforce of only four optometrists, job opportunities in Moses Lake are limited but concentrated, indicating a potentially competitive market for positions.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,421 | $42.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,254 | $58.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,684 | $70.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,578 | $84.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,068 | $101.48 |
Median Salary Position
3.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moses Lake
In Moses Lake, WA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,647 (2026 est.). At $145,684, the local median is 3.61% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moses Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moses Lake Optometrist Pay Compares
Moses Lake median: $145,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moses Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $150,968 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.61% more |
Optometrists in Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $145,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.61% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $150,968.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moses Lake has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moses Lake, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $145,684 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,646 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,407
2025 BLS Actual
$141,496
2026 Current Est.
$145,684
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,407 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,308 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,783 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,616 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,339 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,496 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moses Lake metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,407 (2019) to $141,496 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,590 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moses Lake 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) | $87,421 – $121,254 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,254 – $145,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,684 – $175,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,578 – $211,068 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Moses Lake
The local job market reflects nuances that affect optometrist pay in Moses Lake, WA, especially considering the cost of living index, which sits at 107.4, indicating expenses are above the national average. This scenario influences take-home income significantly for professionals in the area. Among local employers, private optometry practices—both solo and group—tend to offer the most competitive salaries, particularly those incorporating an OD/MD model that allows revenue sharing from surgical referrals. Optometrists with residency training, especially in ocular disease or those associated with the VA, typically command higher salaries due to specialized skills. Those looking to maximize their pay in Moses Lake should consider avenues such as transitioning into practice ownership, leveraging training and experience in surgical settings, or partnering with practices that have a strong community presence. This strategic approach takes advantage of both the limited market size and the growing demand for specialized eye care services in the area.
More salary data for Moses Lake, 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 $141,496 for optometristsin the Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake 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