Senior Optometrist Salary in Medford, OR: $213,417 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of optometrists working in Medford, OR — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $213,417/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1041. Strip back Medford's price premium (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $208,009 in average-cost America. The 51% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists with extensive experience in Medford, Oregon, can anticipate lucrative compensation in 2026, with top earners (P90) set to take home approximately $213,417 annually. This marks a significant tier in the salary spectrum, well above the median annual salary of $140,923. The pay gap between these two figures highlights the premium that seasoned professionals in the field can command, especially those who have developed specialized skills or leadership capabilities. Achieving top-tier pay typically requires not just years of practical experience, but also advanced credentials such as residency training and involvement in subspecialties, which enhance a practitioner's value in this growing market.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
Experienced optometrists at the top of the pay scale in Medford earn between $174,205 and $213,417 per year (2026 est.). This $131,681 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Medford median of $140,923 sits 0.22% above the US median.
Top OD Salary Comparison
| Level | Medford | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $140,923 | $140,612 |
| 75th Percentile | $174,205 | $170,008 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $213,417 | $208,165 |
In Medford, experienced optometrists (P90) earn 51.44% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Optometrist Pay in Medford
Advanced Certifications in Oregon
OR optometrists with additional specialty certifications within the optometry field earn significantly above the $140,923 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Medford employers.
Specialty Focus
Optometrists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the optometry field in Medford command premium compensation, often reaching the $174,205–$213,417 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Medford metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced optometrists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured optometrists in Medford with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Optometrists in Oregon who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Optometrist Career & Wage Growth Path in Medford
Clinical Optometrist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Optometrist
5-10 yearsOptometrist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMedford ranks #3 of 36 Oregon cities for top earner optometrist salary (90th percentile: $213,417).
Top 10% optometrist compensation in Medford ($213,417) is 18.02% above the Oregon average P90 ($180,827).
2019 BLS Actual
$198,997
2025 BLS Actual
$207,281
2026 Current Est.
$213,417
2019–2027 Growth
+10.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $198,997 | Actual |
| 2020 | $200,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $197,244 | Actual |
| 2022 | $196,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $209,249 | Actual |
| 2024 | $213,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $207,281 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $213,417 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $219,734 | Projected |
Top-earning optometrists (90th percentile) in Medford saw their compensation grow 4.2% from $198,997 in 2019 to $207,281 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.96% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $219,734 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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.
Maximizing Your Optometrist Earnings in Medford
Compensation structures for senior optometrists in Medford reflect the variety of employment opportunities within the field. Professionals who focus on high-demand specializations like ocular disease, pediatric optometry, or low vision rehabilitation tend to earn higher salaries compared to peers in general practice. Variations exist between employer types, with private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups offering distinct earning potentials. Advancing to roles such as practice owner or partner in integrated OD/MD models can further boost income opportunities. Obtaining credentials from recognized organizations, such as the ACOE for optometry schools or earning additional certifications like glaucoma management, can increase earning capacity. Additionally, non-salary factors, including equity in practice ownership and revenue-sharing from ophthalmic referrals, significantly contribute to overall compensation for experienced optometrists in Medford, OR.
More salary data for Medford, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced optometrists make in Medford in 2026?
What drives higher optometrist pay in Medford?
What certifications boost optometrist salary in Medford?
Can experienced optometrists make six figures in Medford?
How much does optometrist salary increase over time in Medford?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Oregon
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $207,281 for optometrists in the Medford metro area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Medford 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