Optometrist Salary in Casper, WY: $131,114 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Casper, WY earns a median $131,114/year (≈ $63.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Casper's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $136,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the projected optometrist salary in Casper, Wyoming is estimated at $131,114 annually, positioning it slightly below the national average of $140,612. With salaries ranging from $76,046 at the 10th percentile to $198,834 at the 90th percentile, Casper's job market offers diverse earning potential linked to practice structure. Many optometrists in this region operate within private practices, which may allow for higher profits due to equity ownership. In contrast, those employed by retail chains or corporate entities may experience different compensation dynamics, as these establishments often follow standardized pay scales. Given these dynamics, optometrists need to consider their practice choice carefully, as it significantly impacts overall earnings in Casper’s healthcare environment.
About the Casper Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,046 | $36.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,206 | $51.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,114 | $63.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,942 | $77.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,834 | $95.60 |
Median Salary Position
6.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Casper
In Casper, WY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,788 (2026 est.). At $131,114, the local median is 6.75% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Casper: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Casper Optometrist Pay Compares
Casper median: $131,114/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Casper Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $134,201 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.75% less |
Optometrists in Casper, WY earn a median of $131,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.75% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.30% below the Wyoming state average of $134,201.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Casper has a cost of living 4.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Casper, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,114 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,862 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,465
2025 BLS Actual
$127,345
2026 Current Est.
$131,114
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Casper (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,465 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,076 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,904 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,107 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,953 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,752 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,345 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,114 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,995 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Casper metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,465 (2019) to $127,345 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,995 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,530 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Casper 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) | $76,046 – $106,206 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,206 – $131,114 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,114 – $161,942 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,942 – $198,834 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Casper
With only nine optometrists currently practicing in Casper, the local market is relatively small, which can create both competition and collaboration opportunities. The cost of living index sits at 95.8, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance overall take-home purchasing power for those working in the area. Among the local employers, private optometry practices tend to offer the most competitive compensation, capitalizing on revenues from diagnostic and therapeutic services, especially for those with residency training in ocular disease. Factors such as practice ownership, salary differentials based on referrals from ophthalmology, and practice's alignment with regional health policies can create varying pay levels. For optometrists looking to maximize their pay in Casper, investing in advanced training and considering roles in expanding practice models could lead to greater financial rewards in this evolving market environment.
More salary data for Casper, WY:
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 $127,345 for optometristsin the Casper 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 Casper 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