Optometrist Salary

Claremore vs Oklahoma City: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Claremore, OK and Oklahoma City, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Claremore, OK
$119,107
$57.27/hr
Oklahoma City, OK
$107,974
$51.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClaremore, OKOklahoma City, OK
Median Salary$119,107$107,974
Hourly Rate$57.27$51.91
Entry Level (P10)$69,082$76,788
25th Percentile$96,151$79,156
75th Percentile$139,558$157,755
Top Earner (P90)$164,395$174,332
Total Employed6170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Claremore ($119,107) and Oklahoma City ($107,974) optometrist salaries.ClaremoreOklahoma CityMedian Salary$119,107$107,974Entry Level (P10)$69,082$76,788Top Earner (P90)$164,395$174,332US Median $140,612

Verdict

Claremore and Oklahoma City are closely matched on overall optometrist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Claremore and Oklahoma City is $11,133 (10.31%). Claremore's median is -15.29% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Claremore spans $95,313,Oklahoma City spans $97,544. Oklahoma City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Claremore
P10 (Entry)$69,082
P25$96,151
Median$119,107
P75$139,558
P90 (Top)$164,395
Oklahoma City
P10 (Entry)$76,788
P25$79,156
Median$107,974
P75$157,755
P90 (Top)$174,332

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Claremore ($133,979 effective) pays 12.18% more than Oklahoma City ($119,430 effective).

Claremore
Nominal: $119,107
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $133,979
Oklahoma City
Nominal: $107,974
CoL Index: 90.408
Adjusted: $119,430

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Claremore if…

  • Higher median salary ($119,107/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,979)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Oklahoma City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($174,332)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Claremore grew 13.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 61.9% growth in Oklahoma City over the same period.

Claremore, OK

+13.8%

$101,647 (2024) → $115,683 (2025)

Oklahoma City, OK

+61.9%

$64,770 (2019) → $104,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Claremore or Oklahoma City?

Claremore has a higher median optometrist salary at $119,107/year, compared to Oklahoma City at $107,974/year — a difference of $11,133 (10.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Claremore and Oklahoma City?

Claremore optometrists earn $57.27/hr while Oklahoma City hygienists earn $51.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Claremore to Oklahoma City as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Claremore and Oklahoma City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Claremore = $133,979, Oklahoma City = $119,430), job availability (6 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Claremore vs Oklahoma City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $69,082 in Claremore and $76,788 in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City area offers higher starting salaries.
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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov