Optometrist Salary in Queen Creek, AZ: $137,408 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Queen Creek, AZ earns a median $137,408/year (≈ $66.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Queen Creek's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $139,501 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an optometrist in Queen Creek, Arizona, earns a median salary of $137,408, making it competitive within the larger national context, as the national median reaches $140,612. Salaries for optometrists in this area range from $79,697 at the 10th percentile to $198,595 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust earning potential that reflects the unique dynamics of the local market and the inclusion of the OD/MD model, which generates additional revenue through surgical co-management. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, incorporating relevant regional cost adjustments that affect overall compensation, making Queen Creek's optometrist salary a compelling option for professionals in the field considering practice locations.
About the Queen Creek Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,697 | $38.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,890 | $54.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,408 | $66.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,161 | $78.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,595 | $95.47 |
Median Salary Position
2.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Queen Creek
In Queen Creek, AZ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,898 (2026 est.). At $137,408, the local median is 2.28% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Queen Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Queen Creek Optometrist Pay Compares
Queen Creek median: $137,408/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Queen Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,516 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.28% less |
Optometrists in Queen Creek, AZ earn a median of $137,408 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.28% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% below the Arizona state average of $138,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Queen Creek 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.
Queen Creek, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $137,408 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,501 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,624
2025 BLS Actual
$133,458
2026 Current Est.
$137,408
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Queen Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,624 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,468 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,728 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,855 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,924 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,458 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,408 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,476 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Queen Creek metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,624 (2019) to $133,458 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,476 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,852 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Queen Creek 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) | $79,697 – $113,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,890 – $137,408 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,408 – $164,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,161 – $198,595 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Queen Creek
Job opportunities for optometrists are somewhat limited in Queen Creek, with only 11 currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, suggesting that optometrists may enjoy a favorable purchasing power relative to their earnings. Practices that typically offer the highest salaries for optometrists include those affiliated with ophthalmology clinics that utilize the OD/MD collaboration model, as they can share in surgical revenues. Factors driving pay disparities in Queen Creek include ownership stakes and the varying paths of practice, whether in retail chains versus private settings. Optometrists aiming to maximize their earnings should consider opportunities in specialty areas such as ocular disease or eye surgery, as residency training often yields a pay premium. Additionally, staying attuned to evolving practice regulations, such as scope-of-practice expansions, will enhance career growth and earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Queen Creek, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Queen Creek, AZ in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Queen Creek?
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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 $133,458 for optometristsin the Queen Creek 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 Queen Creek 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