Optometrist Salary

Murray vs Provo: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Murray, UT and Provo, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Murray, UT
$141,906
$68.22/hr
Provo, UT
$88,803
$42.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMurray, UTProvo, UT
Median Salary$141,906$88,803
Hourly Rate$68.22$42.70
Entry Level (P10)$82,305$36,355
25th Percentile$109,458$49,308
75th Percentile$175,187$155,099
Top Earner (P90)$215,063$177,585
Total Employed760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Murray ($141,906) and Provo ($88,803) optometrist salaries.MurrayProvoMedian Salary$141,906$88,803Entry Level (P10)$82,305$36,355Top Earner (P90)$215,063$177,585US Median $140,612

Verdict

Murray, UT offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Provo.

The salary gap between Murray and Provo is $53,103 (59.80%). Murray's median is +0.92% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Murray spans $132,758,Provo spans $141,230. Provo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Murray
P10 (Entry)$82,305
P25$109,458
Median$141,906
P75$175,187
P90 (Top)$215,063
Provo
P10 (Entry)$36,355
P25$49,308
Median$88,803
P75$155,099
P90 (Top)$177,585

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murray ($144,654 effective) pays 60.01% more than Provo ($90,401 effective).

Murray
Nominal: $141,906
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $144,654
Provo
Nominal: $88,803
CoL Index: 98.232
Adjusted: $90,401

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Murray if…

  • Higher median salary ($141,906/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($215,063)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $144,654)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Provo if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Murray grew 10.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.4% growth in Provo over the same period.

Murray, UT

+10.4%

$124,834 (2024) → $137,826 (2025)

Provo, UT

+24.4%

$69,340 (2019) → $86,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Murray or Provo?

Murray has a higher median optometrist salary at $141,906/year, compared to Provo at $88,803/year — a difference of $53,103 (59.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Murray and Provo?

Murray optometrists earn $68.22/hr while Provo hygienists earn $42.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Murray to Provo as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Murray and Provo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Murray = $144,654, Provo = $90,401), job availability (7 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Murray vs Provo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $82,305 in Murray and $36,355 in Provo. The Murray 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