Optometrist Salary

Midwest City vs Tulsa: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Midwest City, OK
$123,884
$59.56/hr
Tulsa, OK
$103,217
$49.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMidwest City, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$123,884$103,217
Hourly Rate$59.56$49.63
Entry Level (P10)$71,853$78,898
25th Percentile$102,526$94,836
75th Percentile$152,553$155,161
Top Earner (P90)$186,640$185,987
Total Employed12190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Midwest City ($123,884) and Tulsa ($103,217) optometrist salaries.Midwest CityTulsaMedian Salary$123,884$103,217Entry Level (P10)$71,853$78,898Top Earner (P90)$186,640$185,987US Median $140,612

Verdict

Midwest City, OK offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tulsa.

The salary gap between Midwest City and Tulsa is $20,667 (20.02%). Midwest City's median is -11.90% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Midwest City spans $114,787,Tulsa spans $107,089. Midwest City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Midwest City
P10 (Entry)$71,853
P25$102,526
Median$123,884
P75$152,553
P90 (Top)$186,640
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$78,898
P25$94,836
Median$103,217
P75$155,161
P90 (Top)$185,987

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Midwest City ($139,352 effective) pays 20.45% more than Tulsa ($115,696 effective).

Midwest City
Nominal: $123,884
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $139,352
Tulsa
Nominal: $103,217
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $115,696

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Midwest City if…

  • Higher median salary ($123,884/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($186,640)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,352)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Midwest City grew 13.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -5.3% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Midwest City, OK

+13.8%

$105,723 (2024) → $120,322 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+-5.3%

$105,810 (2019) → $100,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Midwest City or Tulsa?

Midwest City has a higher median optometrist salary at $123,884/year, compared to Tulsa at $103,217/year — a difference of $20,667 (20.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Midwest City and Tulsa?

Midwest City optometrists earn $59.56/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $49.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Midwest City to Tulsa as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Midwest City and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Midwest City = $139,352, Tulsa = $115,696), job availability (12 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Midwest City vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $71,853 in Midwest City and $78,898 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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