Optometrist Salary

Optometrist Salary in Evanston, WY: $125,846 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Evanston, WY earns a median $125,846/year (≈ $60.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Evanston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $131,363 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Wyoming state average.

$125,846
Median Annual Salary
$60.50/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$78,630
Entry Level (P10)
$169,798
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrist Salary in Evanston, WY — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Evanston, WY optometrist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Evanston, WY, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $125,846, reflecting the growing value of the OD/MD surgical co-management revenue model that contributes significantly to compensation. This model not only enhances earnings potential but also provides a robust foundation for eye care professionals to collaborate in a clinical environment. The salary range for optometrists in the region extends from $78,630 at the 10th percentile to $169,798 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diversity in income based on experience and practice setting. These figures derive from recent estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost factors, emphasizing that despite the lower median pay compared to the national average of $140,612, Evanston's optometry market presents unique opportunities within its local healthcare ecosystem.

About the Evanston Market

Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$78,630$37.81
Lower Range (P25)$106,812$51.36
Median (P50)(typical)$125,846$60.50
Upper Range (P75)$145,136$69.78
Top Earners (P90)$169,798$81.64

Median Salary Position

$78,630$169,798
City Median: $125,846
National: $140,612
P10–P90 Range

10.5% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for optometrists in Evanston. The median salary is $125,846, compared to the national median of $140,612.$70.8K$97.6K$124.5K$151.4K$178.3K$78.6K10th Pctl$106.8K25th Pctl$125.8KMedian$145.1K75th Pctl$169.8K90th PctlUS Median$140.6K

In Evanston, WY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,168 (2026 est.). At $125,846, the local median is 10.5% below the national median of $140,612.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,420
per week
$10,487
per month
$125,839
per year

At 40 hours/week in Evanston: You'd be above the median

How Evanston Optometrist Pay Compares

Evanston median: $125,846/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryEvanston Pays
Wyoming Average$134,307-6.30% less
National Average$140,612-10.50% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing optometrist median salary in Evanston ($125,846) with Wyoming average ($134,307) and the US national median ($140,612).Evanston$125,846Wyoming Avg$134,307-6.30%US National$140,612-10.50%

Optometrists in Evanston, WY earn a median of $125,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.50% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 6.30% below the Wyoming state average of $134,307.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$125,846
Nominal Salary
95.8
CoL Index
$131,363
Adjusted Salary

Evanston 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.

The nominal salary is $125,846. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 95.8, the purchasing-power equivalent is $131,363, a gain of $5,517.$107.0K$120.7K$134.3K$148.0K$161.7K$125,846NominalSalary$131,363CoL Adjusted(CoL: 95.8) 4.38%US Median $140.6K

Evanston, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $125,846 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,363 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$103,147

2025 BLS Actual

$122,228

2026 Current Est.

$125,846

2019–2027 Growth

+25.6%

Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Evanston (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 Evanston. Baseline $103,147 in 2025, projected to $129,571 by 2027.$97.9K$107.1K$116.4K$125.6K$134.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$103.1K$105.7K$111.2K$112.4K$118.0K$114.9K$122.2K$125.8K$129.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$103,147Actual
2020$105,653Actual
2021$111,247Actual
2022$112,401Actual
2023$118,013Actual
2024$114,939Actual
2025$122,228Actual
2026(current)$125,846Estimated
2027$129,571Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evanston metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $103,147 (2019) to $122,228 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,571 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,424 (25.62%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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)$78,630$106,812
3-5 years (Mid Career)$106,812$125,846
5+ years (Experienced)$125,846$145,136
10+ years (Top Earner)$145,136$169,798

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

Optometrist Job Market in Evanston

With only six optometrists currently employed in Evanston, the job market demonstrates a relatively limited yet specialized local presence. The cost of living index stands at 95.8, which suggests that while salaries may be below the national norm, the affordability of living in and around Evanston extends the purchasing power of these professionals. Among the entities in the area, private optometry practices and OD/MD collaborative settings tend to offer the most competitive pay, driven by factors such as practice ownership equity and the diverse scope of services—including glaucoma management and specialty care. The wide income range encountered in Evanston's optometry salaries can often be attributed to various elements, such as experience, practice models, and post-acquisition dynamics of previously independent practices now under private equity ownership. To maximize earnings in this market, it is beneficial for optometrists to consider gaining residency training in ocular disease, exploring opportunities within established OD/MD models, and evaluating practice ownership options for heightened financial returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do optometrists make in Evanston, WY in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median optometrist salary in Evanston is $125,846/year ($60.50/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.96% annual growth). Salaries range from $78,630 at entry level (10th percentile) to $169,798 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Evanston at 10.5% 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 Evanston, WY a good place to work as a optometrist?

Evanston optometrist salaries are 10.5% below the national average and 6.3% below the Wyoming state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 optometrists. With a cost-of-living index of 95.8, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can optometrists make $100K in Evanston?

Yes — the median optometrist salary in Evanston is already $125,846, meaning more than half of optometrists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $169,798/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 Evanston?

After adjusting for Evanston's cost-of-living index of 95.8 (where 100 equals the national average), the $125,846 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $131,363 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 4.4% further in Evanston compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for optometrists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a optometrist make per hour in Evanston?

Optometrists in Evanston earn a median hourly rate of $60.50, which translates to approximately $125,846/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $37.81 for entry-level positions to $81.64 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 Wyoming

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 $122,228 for optometristsin the Evanston 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 Evanston 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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