Optometrist Salary in Sammamish, WA: $148,150 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Sammamish, WA earns a median $148,150/year (≈ $71.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Sammamish's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $137,942 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sammamish, Washington, the median annual salary for optometrists is projected to be $148,150 in 2026, reflecting local market dynamics where practitioners often choose between ownership of private practices, employment as associates, or positions within retail chains. This salary represents a broad range of earnings, from $85,927 at the 10th percentile to as high as $220,212 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost nuances, providing a detailed picture of how much optometrists make in Sammamish. The choice of practice setting significantly influences remuneration, as independent practice owners can leverage equity and patient relationships, while those in retail chains may encounter different structures regarding compensation and benefits.
About the Sammamish Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,927 | $41.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,560 | $56.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,150 | $71.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,649 | $86.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,212 | $105.87 |
Median Salary Position
5.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sammamish
In Sammamish, WA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,285 (2026 est.). At $148,150, the local median is 5.36% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sammamish: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sammamish Optometrist Pay Compares
Sammamish median: $148,150/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sammamish Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $151,020 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +5.36% more |
Optometrists in Sammamish, WA earn a median of $148,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $151,020.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sammamish has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sammamish, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $148,150 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,942 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,428
2025 BLS Actual
$143,891
2026 Current Est.
$148,150
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sammamish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,428 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,378 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,963 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,322 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,934 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,891 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,150 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,535 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sammamish metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $121,428 (2019) to $143,891 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,535 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,107 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sammamish 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) | $85,927 – $117,560 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,560 – $148,150 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,150 – $180,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,649 – $220,212 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Sammamish
The local job market for optometrists in the Sammamish area has 11 professionals currently employed, presenting a modest number yet indicative of competition. With a cost-of-living index set at 107.4, salary adjustments may be necessary to meet the higher living expenses prevalent in this region. Employers like private practices or mixed OD/MD models tend to offer competitive pay compared to optical retail chains. Factors contributing to the disparity in earnings include practice ownership, which provides income opportunities through equity, and specialty training in ocular disease that can afford higher compensation. Strategies for maximizing optometrist pay in Sammamish WA include pursuing residency training and actively engaging in scope expansion areas such as glaucoma management or minor surgical procedures, which align with the evolving demands in optometry and patient care practices.
More salary data for Sammamish, 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 $143,891 for optometristsin the Sammamish 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 Sammamish 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