Optometrist Salary

Goodyear vs Lake Havasu City: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Goodyear, AZ and Lake Havasu City, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Goodyear, AZ
$137,990
$66.34/hr
Lake Havasu City, AZ
$137,441
$66.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGoodyear, AZLake Havasu City, AZ
Median Salary$137,990$137,441
Hourly Rate$66.34$66.08
Entry Level (P10)$80,034$79,716
25th Percentile$106,795$113,957
75th Percentile$165,453$169,584
Top Earner (P90)$209,724$207,440
Total Employed1513
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Goodyear ($137,990) and Lake Havasu City ($137,441) optometrist salaries.GoodyearLake Havasu CityMedian Salary$137,990$137,441Entry Level (P10)$80,034$79,716Top Earner (P90)$209,724$207,440US Median $140,612

Verdict

Goodyear, AZ offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lake Havasu City.

The salary gap between Goodyear and Lake Havasu City is $549 (0.40%). Goodyear's median is -1.86% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Goodyear spans $129,690,Lake Havasu City spans $127,724. Goodyear has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Goodyear
P10 (Entry)$80,034
P25$106,795
Median$137,990
P75$165,453
P90 (Top)$209,724
Lake Havasu City
P10 (Entry)$79,716
P25$113,957
Median$137,441
P75$169,584
P90 (Top)$207,440

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Goodyear ($140,091 effective) pays 0.40% more than Lake Havasu City ($139,534 effective).

Goodyear
Nominal: $137,990
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $140,091
Lake Havasu City
Nominal: $137,441
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $139,534

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Goodyear if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,990/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($209,724)
  • Larger job market (15 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,091)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Lake Havasu City if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Goodyear grew 1.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.1% growth in Lake Havasu City over the same period.

Goodyear, AZ

+1.2%

$132,483 (2024) → $134,023 (2025)

Lake Havasu City, AZ

+27.1%

$105,060 (2019) → $133,490 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Goodyear or Lake Havasu City?

Goodyear has a higher median optometrist salary at $137,990/year, compared to Lake Havasu City at $137,441/year — a difference of $549 (0.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Goodyear and Lake Havasu City?

Goodyear optometrists earn $66.34/hr while Lake Havasu City hygienists earn $66.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Goodyear to Lake Havasu City as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Goodyear and Lake Havasu City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Goodyear = $140,091, Lake Havasu City = $139,534), job availability (15 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Goodyear vs Lake Havasu City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $80,034 in Goodyear and $79,716 in Lake Havasu City. The Goodyear 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