Optometrist Salary in Scottsdale, AZ: $145,962 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Scottsdale, AZ earns a median $145,962/year (≈ $70.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Scottsdale's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $148,185 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Scottsdale, Arizona, the emerging optometry market is highlighted by a median annual salary of $145,962 in 2026, slightly above the national figure of $140,612. This competitive compensation reflects the state's expanded scope of practice for optometrists, which includes the management of glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing certain laser procedures. Additionally, the local salary range extends from $84,658 at the 10th percentile to $222,757 for the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential for those in varied practice settings. These figures, according to estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, showcase a robust job market for optometrists in the area.
About the Scottsdale Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,658 | $40.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,115 | $54.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,962 | $70.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,348 | $87.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $222,757 | $107.10 |
Median Salary Position
3.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scottsdale
In Scottsdale, AZ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,099 (2026 est.). At $145,962, the local median is 3.8% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scottsdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scottsdale Optometrist Pay Compares
Scottsdale median: $145,962/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scottsdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,484 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.80% more |
Optometrists in Scottsdale, AZ earn a median of $145,962 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 5.40% above the Arizona state average of $138,484.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scottsdale 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.
Scottsdale, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $145,962 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,185 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,635
2025 BLS Actual
$141,766
2026 Current Est.
$145,962
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Scottsdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,635 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,541 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,029 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,368 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,877 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,136 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,766 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,962 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,283 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scottsdale metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,635 (2019) to $141,766 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,283 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,648 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scottsdale 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) | $84,658 – $113,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,115 – $145,962 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,962 – $182,348 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,348 – $222,757 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Scottsdale
The local job market shows a healthy demand for optometrists, with 44 currently employed in Scottsdale. A cost-of-living index of 98.5 suggests an affordable living environment, which can enhance the overall purchasing power for optometrists earning competitive salaries. Private optometry practices, especially those with ownership equity, typically offer higher pay compared to retail optical chains. In addition, optometrists partnering with ophthalmologists in an OD/MD model may also benefit from shared revenue on surgical referrals, augmenting their income. Maximizing earning potential in Scottsdale may involve pursuing residency training in ocular disease, which is recognized for offering a salary premium, as well as considering employment offers from private equity-owned practices formed from previously independent ones. Networking within local optometric circles is also critical for securing lucrative job opportunities.
More salary data for Scottsdale, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Scottsdale, AZ in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Scottsdale?
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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 $141,766 for optometristsin the Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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