Optometrist Salary in Flagstaff, AZ: $135,214 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Flagstaff, AZ earns a median $135,214/year (≈ $65.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Flagstaff's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $137,273 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Flagstaff is projected to reach a median annual figure of $135,214, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612. With a salary range from $78,425 at the 10th percentile to $199,686 at the 90th percentile, these estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, reflect local market conditions and cost adjustments specific to the region. Optometrists in Arizona have an expanding scope of practice that includes managing glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing select laser procedures, which can influence compensation. This growth has implications for career opportunities in Flagstaff, where the evolving landscape of eye care demands highly skilled practitioners capable of providing a broad range of services.
About the Flagstaff Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,425 | $37.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,475 | $52.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,214 | $65.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,202 | $78.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,686 | $96.00 |
Median Salary Position
3.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, AZ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,261 (2026 est.). At $135,214, the local median is 3.84% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Flagstaff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Flagstaff Optometrist Pay Compares
Flagstaff median: $135,214/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flagstaff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,539 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.84% less |
Optometrists in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $135,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.40% below the Arizona state average of $138,539.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flagstaff has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flagstaff, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,214 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,273 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,825
2025 BLS Actual
$131,327
2026 Current Est.
$135,214
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,518 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,528 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,798 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,327 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,214 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,217 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flagstaff metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,825 (2019) to $131,327 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,217 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,392 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,425 – $109,475 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,475 – $135,214 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,214 – $164,202 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,202 – $199,686 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Flagstaff
The job market in Flagstaff currently supports 14 employed optometrists, presenting a relatively small but focused community. The local cost of living index stands at 98.5, indicating that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power in the area balances out this difference. Among the different types of employers, private optometry practices often offer the highest pay, particularly for those who have undertaken a residency training program, as this specialized experience can significantly enhance earning potential. The spread in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as equity in practice ownership, collaborative setups where ODs work alongside ophthalmologists, and the terms offered by private equity-acquired practices. For optometrists in Flagstaff, gaining experience in diverse settings—whether in private practice, retail, or hospital affiliations—can be a strategic move to maximize their income and career satisfaction.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $131,327 for optometristsin the Flagstaff metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Flagstaff 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