Optometrist Salary in Spokane, WA: $129,915 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Spokane, WA earns a median $129,915/year (≈ $62.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Spokane's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $129,467 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.0% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Spokane, WA, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $129,915, which reflects slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $140,612. Optometrists in this region, who engage in a fully expanded scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and certain laser procedures, are positioned to benefit from the evolving healthcare needs. Salary expectations for local optometrists range from $90,790 at the 10th percentile to $166,981 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, highlighting the significant variations in salary that can result from factors such as experience, type of employment, and specialty focus, contributing to a dynamic job market in Spokane.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,790 | $43.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,552 | $51.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,915 | $62.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,041 | $76.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,981 | $80.28 |
Median Salary Position
7.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spokane
In Spokane, WA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,191 (2026 est.). At $129,915, the local median is 7.61% below the national median of $140,612.
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How Spokane Optometrist Pay Compares
Spokane median: $129,915/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spokane Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $151,064 | -14.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.61% less |
Optometrists in Spokane, WA earn a median of $129,915 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.61% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 14.00% below the Washington state average of $151,064.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spokane has a cost of living 0.35% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spokane, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.346 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,915 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $129,467 — a 0.34% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,580
2025 BLS Actual
$126,180
2026 Current Est.
$129,915
2019–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Spokane (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,915 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,760 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spokane metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 8.2% from $116,580 (2019) to $126,180 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,760 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,180 (14.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spokane 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) | $90,790 – $107,552 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,552 – $129,915 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,915 – $160,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,041 – $166,981 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Spokane
The local job market for optometrists in Spokane is relatively robust, with around 60 practitioners currently employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index standing at 100.346, this suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains relatively stable. Among employers, private optometry practices tend to provide higher compensation compared to retail chains. Revenue generation is influenced by multiple factors, including practice ownership equity, the presence of ocular disease residency training, and the operational models integrating optometrists with ophthalmologists in healthcare teams. Therefore, aspiring optometrists can maximize their earnings potential by seeking practice ownership opportunities, considering roles in medical-focused environments, and aligning their training and credentials with the local demand for more specialized optometry services.
More salary data for Spokane, 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 $126,180 for optometristsin the Spokane 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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