Optometrist Salary

Colorado Springs vs Evans: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Evans, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$135,887
$65.33/hr
Evans, CO
$136,736
$65.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COEvans, CO
Median Salary$135,887$136,736
Hourly Rate$65.33$65.74
Entry Level (P10)$66,595$82,064
25th Percentile$105,328$114,037
75th Percentile$163,809$163,549
Top Earner (P90)$201,163$194,609
Total Employed1005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($135,887) and Evans ($136,736) optometrist salaries.Colorado SpringsEvansMedian Salary$135,887$136,736Entry Level (P10)$66,595$82,064Top Earner (P90)$201,163$194,609US Median $140,612

Verdict

Colorado Springs and Evans are closely matched on overall optometrist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Evans is $849 (0.62%). Evans's median is -2.76% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $134,568,Evans spans $112,545. Colorado Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$66,595
P25$105,328
Median$135,887
P75$163,809
P90 (Top)$201,163
Evans
P10 (Entry)$82,064
P25$114,037
Median$136,736
P75$163,549
P90 (Top)$194,609

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($134,933 effective) pays 3.62% more than Evans ($130,225 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $135,887
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $134,933
Evans
Nominal: $136,736
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $130,225

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($201,163)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $134,933)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Evans if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,736/year)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Colorado Springs grew 26.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.4% growth in Evans over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+26.6%

$104,260 (2019) → $131,980 (2025)

Evans, CO

+-2.4%

$136,140 (2024) → $132,805 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Colorado Springs or Evans?

Evans has a higher median optometrist salary at $136,736/year, compared to Colorado Springs at $135,887/year — a difference of $849 (0.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Evans?

Colorado Springs optometrists earn $65.33/hr while Evans hygienists earn $65.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Evans as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Evans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $134,933, Evans = $130,225), job availability (100 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Colorado Springs vs Evans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $66,595 in Colorado Springs and $82,064 in Evans. The Evans area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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