Optometrist Salary

Florissant vs Kansas City: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Florissant, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Florissant, MO
$125,263
$60.22/hr
Kansas City, MO
$142,682
$68.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorissant, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$125,263$142,682
Hourly Rate$60.22$68.60
Entry Level (P10)$72,653$96,412
25th Percentile$96,633$123,552
75th Percentile$149,880$152,844
Top Earner (P90)$189,860$181,240
Total Employed11450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florissant ($125,263) and Kansas City ($142,682) optometrist salaries.FlorissantKansas CityMedian Salary$125,263$142,682Entry Level (P10)$72,653$96,412Top Earner (P90)$189,860$181,240US Median $140,612

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Florissant.

The salary gap between Florissant and Kansas City is $17,419 (13.91%). Kansas City's median is +1.47% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florissant spans $117,207,Kansas City spans $84,828. Florissant has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Florissant
P10 (Entry)$72,653
P25$96,633
Median$125,263
P75$149,880
P90 (Top)$189,860
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$96,412
P25$123,552
Median$142,682
P75$152,844
P90 (Top)$181,240

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($154,179 effective) pays 10.28% more than Florissant ($139,802 effective).

Florissant
Nominal: $125,263
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $139,802
Kansas City
Nominal: $142,682
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $154,179

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florissant if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($189,860)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($142,682/year)
  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,179)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Florissant grew 6.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.3% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Florissant, MO

+6.7%

$114,027 (2024) → $121,662 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+22.3%

$113,270 (2019) → $138,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Florissant or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a higher median optometrist salary at $142,682/year, compared to Florissant at $125,263/year — a difference of $17,419 (13.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florissant and Kansas City?

Florissant optometrists earn $60.22/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $68.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florissant to Kansas City as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florissant and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florissant = $139,802, Kansas City = $154,179), job availability (11 vs 450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Florissant vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $72,653 in Florissant and $96,412 in Kansas City. The Kansas City 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