Optometrist Salary in Huntington, WV: $106,739 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Huntington, WV earns a median $106,739/year (≈ $51.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Huntington's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $120,715 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.2% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected optometrist salary in Huntington, West Virginia, stands at $106,739, which is notably lower than the national median of $140,612. This gap reflects not just local economic dynamics but also the state's robust scope of practice for optometrists, including the ability to manage glaucoma and prescribe oral medications. The salary range in Huntington varies widely, from $45,786 at the 10th percentile to as high as $228,705 at the 90th percentile, indicating considerable differences in pay based on experience, practice setting, and specialization. Data for this analysis comes from the 2025 BLS OEWS, projected into 2026, illustrating a nuanced job market that offers diverse opportunities for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,786 | $22.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,383 | $37.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,739 | $51.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,905 | $77.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,705 | $109.95 |
Median Salary Position
24.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington
In Huntington, WV, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $182,919 (2026 est.). At $106,739, the local median is 24.09% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntington Optometrist Pay Compares
Huntington median: $106,739/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $121,570 | -12.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -24.09% less |
Optometrists in Huntington, WV earn a median of $106,739 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.09% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 12.20% below the West Virginia state average of $121,570.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $106,739 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,715 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,486
2025 BLS Actual
$103,670
2026 Current Est.
$106,739
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,486 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,612 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,356 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,739 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,898 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $87,486 (2019) to $103,670 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,898 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,412 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington 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) | $45,786 – $78,383 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,383 – $106,739 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,739 – $161,905 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,905 – $228,705 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Huntington
Within Huntington, approximately 30 optometrists are currently employed, pointing to a localized market with unique compensation challenges. The cost-of-living index in this area stands at 88.422, which means that living expenses are lower relative to the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers that typically offer higher pay include ophthalmology practices that integrate optometrists into surgical teams, often leading to more lucrative compensation packages due to revenue-sharing models. The variance in salary can also be affected by whether one works in private practice or a retail optical chain, as the latter often has tighter margins. Those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Huntington may consider gaining experience in ocular disease or pursuing residency programs, as these can lead to enhanced career prospects and higher wages in this evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
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 $103,670 for optometristsin the Huntington 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, 4-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