Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Sheridan, WY: $74,349 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Sheridan, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,349 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sheridan's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,609 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,188) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sheridan, Wyoming, new graduates stepping into optometry can expect starting pay that reflects both the local market and their early career status. The entry-level optometrist salary is projected to be around $74,349 in 2026, which falls significantly short of the city's median annual salary of $128,188. This gap indicates that while new optometrists may begin at a lower range, they have a clear growth trajectory ahead, capable of moving towards the 25th percentile pay of $103,811 within the first few years. Given the cost of living index in Sheridan, which stands below the national average, the starting opportunities in this picturesque town present a viable pathway for aspiring optometrists who are eager to establish their careers, despite the initial lower salary.
About the Sheridan Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sheridan
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sheridan
Entry-level optometrists in Sheridan, WY typically start between $74,349 and $103,811 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $103,391 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,188 — 8.84% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in Wyoming of $135,000 represents just 181.58% of the starting optometrist pay ($74,349/year) in Sheridan. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOE-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs. Public school OD programs offer lower in-state tuition, while private institutions carry higher out-of-pocket costs. Totals reflect tuition and fees for the 4-year professional program; clinical rotation travel and living costs add to the total cost of attendance.
OD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Sheridan
- 1Research the Sheridan market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $74,349 to $103,811, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the optometry field — employers in WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sheridan, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Sheridan for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sheridan's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Optometrist Compensation Range
The optometrist wage spread in Sheridan is $103,391 ( 139.06%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,349, experienced hygienists can earn up to $177,740.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,098
2025 BLS Actual
$72,212
2026 Current Est.
$74,349
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sheridan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,098 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,593 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,403 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,944 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,673 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,906 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,212 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,349 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,550 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Sheridan, WY grew 26.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,098 in 2019 to $72,212 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,550. New graduates entering the Sheridan job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sheridan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your optometry Career in Sheridan
Employers in Sheridan predominantly include retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks, which offer structured mentoring and growth opportunities for recent graduates. These organizations are known for hiring new optometrists, providing a solid entry point into the profession. Additionally, opportunities exist within OD/MD practices that favor residency-trained optometrists, particularly those with specializations such as ocular disease or pediatric optometry. Credentials significantly enhance starting pay in Wyoming; graduates should ensure they obtain an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution, complete NBEO Parts I-III, and secure relevant state licensure. Expanding skill sets to include permissions under the latest optometry practice act in Wyoming, such as managing glaucoma and prescribing oral medications, coupled with the strategic choice of employment environments, can lead to growth in salary in the years following graduation. As the role of optometry continues to expand, so too does the potential income trajectory within the first three years of practice in Sheridan, WY.
More salary data for Sheridan, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new optometry graduates. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Sheridan. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sheridan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov