Optometrist Salary in Gillette, WY: $127,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Gillette, WY earns a median $127,195/year (≈ $61.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Gillette's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $132,771 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gillette, Wyoming, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is set at $127,195, reflecting the state's expanded scope of practice, which includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and specific laser procedures. With a salary range that spans from $73,773 at the 10th percentile to $180,194 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate a significant variation in compensation based on factors like practice setting and experience. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost of living, suggest that while optometry can be a lucrative profession, optometrists in Gillette receive about 9.54% less than the national median salary of $140,612. The market's dynamics are influenced by the presence of various employers and the training background of practitioners, making it a noteworthy market for those considering a career in optometry.
About the Gillette Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,773 | $35.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,100 | $49.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,195 | $61.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,258 | $73.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,194 | $86.63 |
Median Salary Position
9.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gillette
In Gillette, WY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,421 (2026 est.). At $127,195, the local median is 9.54% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gillette: You'd be above the median
How Gillette Optometrist Pay Compares
Gillette median: $127,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gillette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $134,313 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.54% less |
Optometrists in Gillette, WY earn a median of $127,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.54% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.30% below the Wyoming state average of $134,313.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gillette 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.
Gillette, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,195 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,771 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$104,252
2025 BLS Actual
$123,538
2026 Current Est.
$127,195
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Gillette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,252 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,439 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,606 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,277 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,171 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,538 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,960 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gillette metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $104,252 (2019) to $123,538 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,960 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,708 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gillette 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) | $73,773 – $103,100 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,100 – $127,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,195 – $153,258 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,258 – $180,194 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Gillette
The local employment landscape sees nine optometrists practicing in the Gillette area, providing a tight-knit professional community. With a cost of living index of 95.8, living expenses are relatively manageable, enhancing overall purchasing power for healthcare professionals. Among local employers, private optometry practices often pay higher wages compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, partly due to the nuances of practice ownership and collaboration with ophthalmologists in OD/MD settings. Factors driving pay disparities include the financial equity associated with ownership of private practices, the potential for additional revenue streams in surgical referrals, and the premium linked to residency training. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Gillette, pursuing specialty training or aligning with high-revenue practices can provide a competitive edge in this specific job market.
More salary data for Gillette, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Gillette, WY in 2026?
Is Gillette, WY a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Gillette?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Gillette?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Gillette?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wyoming
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 $123,538 for optometristsin the Gillette 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 Gillette 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