Optometrist Salary in Riverton, WY: $125,382 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Riverton, WY earns a median $125,382/year (≈ $60.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Riverton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $130,879 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Riverton, Wyoming, optometrists are positioned within a compensation range that reflects the local market nuances of practice ownership, employment types, and retail optical chains. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $125,382, which is notably lower than the national median of $140,612, highlighting a regional pay gap. Salaries for optometrists in this locale span from $77,555 at the 10th percentile to $176,091 at the 90th percentile, with these estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences. Given the presence of various employment models—ranging from private practices to retail chains—opportunities for compensation vary significantly, influenced by factors such as practice equity, specialization, and local competition.
About the Riverton Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,555 | $37.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,847 | $50.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,382 | $60.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,510 | $71.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,091 | $84.66 |
Median Salary Position
10.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverton
In Riverton, WY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,536 (2026 est.). At $125,382, the local median is 10.83% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverton Optometrist Pay Compares
Riverton median: $125,382/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $134,242 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -10.83% less |
Optometrists in Riverton, WY earn a median of $125,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.83% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 6.60% below the Wyoming state average of $134,242.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverton 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.
Riverton, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $125,382 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,879 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,766
2025 BLS Actual
$121,777
2026 Current Est.
$125,382
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Riverton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,766 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,263 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,515 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,777 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,382 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,093 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $102,766 (2019) to $121,777 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,093 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,327 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverton 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) | $77,555 – $105,847 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,847 – $125,382 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,382 – $148,510 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,510 – $176,091 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Riverton
With only four optometrists currently employed in Riverton, the job market for this profession demonstrates limited saturation, potentially benefiting those entering the field. The cost of living index in the area sits at 95.8, which is slightly below the national average, translating to a more favorable purchasing power for local residents, including optometrists. Generally, private optometry practices often pay more than retail optical chains, with the best compensation likely found in ophthalmology practices that incorporate the OD/MD model, allowing for additional revenue through surgical referrals. Factors leading to the disparity in salary range include the potential financial equity from practice ownership, specific ocular disease residency training, and variations in employment terms following recent acquisitions of former private practices by private equity firms. For those seeking ways to enhance their income in Riverton, pursuing advanced training and considering practice ownership pathways could yield significant benefits.
More salary data for Riverton, 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 $121,777 for optometristsin the Riverton 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 Riverton 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