Optometrist Salary in Sahuarita, AZ: $133,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Sahuarita, AZ earns a median $133,708/year (≈ $64.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Sahuarita's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $135,744 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an optometrist salary in Sahuarita, AZ, is projected to be around $133,708 annually, reflecting the local market's unique positioning within the broader healthcare environment. With compensation ranging from $80,393 at the lower tenth percentile to $193,820 at the upper ninetieth percentile, these estimates are influenced by the state’s extensive scope of practice, which allows optometrists to manage glaucoma and prescribe oral medications, as well as perform select laser procedures. Given this regulatory backdrop, local salary figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, suggest that while Sahuarita's optometrist pay is slightly lower than the national median of $140,612, it remains competitive, particularly when factoring in the area's cost of living index of 98.5, which is below the national average.
About the Sahuarita Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,393 | $38.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,404 | $53.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,708 | $64.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,188 | $75.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,820 | $93.18 |
Median Salary Position
4.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sahuarita
In Sahuarita, AZ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,427 (2026 est.). At $133,708, the local median is 4.91% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sahuarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sahuarita Optometrist Pay Compares
Sahuarita median: $133,708/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sahuarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,557 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.91% less |
Optometrists in Sahuarita, AZ earn a median of $133,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.91% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.50% below the Arizona state average of $138,557.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sahuarita 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.
Sahuarita, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,708 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,744 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,591
2025 BLS Actual
$129,864
2026 Current Est.
$133,708
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sahuarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,253 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,196 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,423 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,385 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,372 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,864 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,666 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sahuarita metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,591 (2019) to $129,864 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,666 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,075 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sahuarita 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) | $80,393 – $111,404 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,404 – $133,708 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,708 – $156,188 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,188 – $193,820 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Sahuarita
The optometry job market in Sahuarita supports a modest workforce, with just five employed optometrists currently. This concentration could lead to increased competition, making it essential for practitioners to maximize their earning potential. The cost of living in the area would affect take-home pay; with a lower index, optometrists may find that their salary stretches further than in places with a higher cost of living. Optometrists in Sahuarita may consider various employers, including private practices, retail chains like LensCrafters, and ophthalmology groups, where roles can significantly influence pay. Differences in earnings often arise from practice ownership equity, existing partnerships with ophthalmologists, and whether the optometrist is part of a private equity-owned practice or independent. Optometrists seeking to enhance their compensation might explore networking within the community, specializing in high-demand areas such as ocular disease, or pursuing residency training to elevate their qualifications further.
More salary data for Sahuarita, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Sahuarita, AZ in 2026?
Is Sahuarita, AZ a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Sahuarita?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Sahuarita?
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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 $129,864 for optometristsin the Sahuarita 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 Sahuarita 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