Optometrist Salary

Optometrist Salary in Spokane Valley, WA: $132,415 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Spokane Valley, WA earns a median $132,415/year (≈ $63.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Spokane Valley's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $123,291 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.3% below the Washington state average.

$132,415
Median Annual Salary
$63.66/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$76,801
Entry Level (P10)
$199,830
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrist Salary in Spokane Valley, WA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Spokane Valley, WA optometrist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Spokane Valley, Washington, optometrists can anticipate a median annual salary of $132,415 in 2026, a figure slightly below the national average of $140,612. This range spans from $76,801 at the 10th percentile to as much as $199,830 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse income spectrum within the profession. Salaries in this market are shaped by the choice between ownership and employment structures, including solo practices, group practices, and retail optical chains. As the demand for vision care continues to grow, job opportunities for optometrists reflect the local economic conditions and associated cost adjustments, making Spokane Valley a notable location for those considering a career in optometry.

About the Spokane Valley Market

Salary estimated from Washington average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$76,801$36.92
Lower Range (P25)$103,497$49.76
Median (P50)(typical)$132,415$63.66
Upper Range (P75)$162,620$78.19
Top Earners (P90)$199,830$96.07

Median Salary Position

$76,801$199,830
City Median: $132,415
National: $140,612
P10–P90 Range

5.83% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spokane Valley

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for optometrists in Spokane Valley. The median salary is $132,415, compared to the national median of $140,612.$69.1K$104.3K$139.5K$174.6K$209.8K$76.8K10th Pctl$103.5K25th Pctl$132.4KMedian$162.6K75th Pctl$199.8K90th PctlUS Median$140.6K

In Spokane Valley, WA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,029 (2026 est.). At $132,415, the local median is 5.83% below the national median of $140,612.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of optometrist pay in the Spokane Valley metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,546
per week
$11,034
per month
$132,413
per year

At 40 hours/week in Spokane Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Spokane Valley Optometrist Pay Compares

Spokane Valley median: $132,415/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySpokane Valley Pays
Washington Average$150,986-12.30% less
National Average$140,612-5.83% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing optometrist median salary in Spokane Valley ($132,415) with Washington average ($150,986) and the US national median ($140,612).Spokane Valley$132,415Washington Avg$150,986-12.30%US National$140,612-5.83%

Optometrists in Spokane Valley, WA earn a median of $132,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.83% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 12.30% below the Washington state average of $150,986.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$132,415
Nominal Salary
107.4
CoL Index
$123,291
Adjusted Salary

Spokane Valley has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $132,415. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the purchasing-power equivalent is $123,291, a loss of $9,124.$104.8K$119.0K$133.3K$147.5K$161.7K$132,415NominalSalary$123,291CoL Adjusted(CoL: 107.4) -6.89%US Median $140.6K

Spokane Valley, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,415 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,291 — a 6.89% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$108,531

2025 BLS Actual

$128,608

2026 Current Est.

$132,415

2019–2027 Growth

+25.6%

Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Spokane Valley (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for optometrists in Spokane Valley. Baseline $108,531 in 2025, projected to $136,334 by 2027.$97.5K$116.8K$136.1K$155.4K$174.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$108.5K$111.2K$117.1K$118.3K$124.2K$163.6K$128.6K$132.4K$136.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$108,531Actual
2020$111,168Actual
2021$117,053Actual
2022$118,268Actual
2023$124,173Actual
2024$163,630Actual
2025$128,608Actual
2026(current)$132,415Estimated
2027$136,334Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spokane Valley metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,531 (2019) to $128,608 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,334 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,803 (25.62%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spokane Valley metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$76,801$103,497
3-5 years (Mid Career)$103,497$132,415
5+ years (Experienced)$132,415$162,620
10+ years (Top Earner)$162,620$199,830

OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Optometrist Job Market in Spokane Valley

The job market for optometrists in Spokane Valley remains relatively strong, with 21 professionals currently employed in the area which offers a cost of living index of 107.4. This figure suggests that while housing and general expenses may be higher than the national average, the corresponding salaries for optometrists still provide a reasonable take-home pay. Retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision typically offer lower salaries compared to private practices, where ownership can lead to higher earnings, especially for those with residency training in ocular disease or those working alongside ophthalmologists in an OD/MD model. The variance in pay can also be attributed to the shift towards private equity acquiring private practices, altering compensation dynamics. To maximize earning potential in Spokane Valley, optometrists should consider pursuing advanced training, seek opportunities within private practices, and stay informed on employment agreements that may offer better compensation packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do optometrists make in Spokane Valley, WA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median optometrist salary in Spokane Valley is $132,415/year ($63.66/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.96% annual growth). Salaries range from $76,801 at entry level (10th percentile) to $199,830 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Spokane Valley at 5.8% below the national median. Full-time optometrists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Spokane Valley, WA a good place to work as a optometrist?

Spokane Valley optometrist salaries are 5.8% below the national average and 12.3% below the Washington state average. The metro area employs approximately 21 optometrists. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can optometrists make $100K in Spokane Valley?

Yes — the median optometrist salary in Spokane Valley is already $132,415, meaning more than half of optometrists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $199,830/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Spokane Valley?

After adjusting for Spokane Valley's cost-of-living index of 107.4 (where 100 equals the national average), the $132,415 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $123,291 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Spokane Valley reduce the effective value of your salary by 6.9% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a optometrist make per hour in Spokane Valley?

Optometrists in Spokane Valley earn a median hourly rate of $63.66, which translates to approximately $132,415/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $36.92 for entry-level positions to $96.07 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem optometrists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Washington

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

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 $128,608 for optometristsin the Spokane Valley 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 Spokane Valley is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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