Optometrist Salary in Cabot, AR: $117,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Cabot, AR earns a median $117,564/year (≈ $56.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Cabot's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $135,287 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cabot, Arkansas, the financial outlook for optometrists presents a varied landscape influenced by practice models and patient demographics. For 2026, the projected median annual salary is $117,564, with earnings ranging from $69,663 at the bottom 10% to $170,017 at the top 90%. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for living costs in the region. Compared to the national median of $140,612, Cabot's optometrist pay indicates a slight shortfall of approximately 16.39%. The job market includes a small number of practicing optometrists, providing professionals an opportunity to carve out a niche in collaborative care models, particularly those that blend optometric and ophthalmologic services.
About the Cabot Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,663 | $33.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,858 | $45.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,564 | $56.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,231 | $67.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,017 | $81.74 |
Median Salary Position
16.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cabot
In Cabot, AR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,354 (2026 est.). At $117,564, the local median is 16.39% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cabot: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cabot Optometrist Pay Compares
Cabot median: $117,564/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cabot Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $122,208 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -16.39% less |
Optometrists in Cabot, AR earn a median of $117,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.39% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.80% below the Arkansas state average of $122,208.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cabot has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cabot, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $117,564 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,287 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,359
2025 BLS Actual
$114,184
2026 Current Est.
$117,564
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Cabot (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,359 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,925 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,004 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,246 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,184 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,044 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cabot metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $96,359 (2019) to $114,184 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,044 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,685 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cabot 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) | $69,663 – $94,858 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,858 – $117,564 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,564 – $141,231 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,231 – $170,017 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Cabot
A closer examination reveals the local job market, with only four optometrists currently employed in Cabot. The area's cost of living index at 86.9 suggests that while salaries may not match national averages, purchasing power could be favorable. Retail optical chains and private practices are significant employers in the city, with those following the OD/MD model typically offering better compensation due to additional surgical referral revenues. Factors influencing salary variations include ownership equity, specialty training in ocular disease, and the terms post-acquisition of practices by private equity. For those looking to maximize their optometrist salary in Cabot, AR, strategies should focus on continuing education and seeking roles that leverage expanded scopes of practice, such as managing glaucoma or oral medications, to appeal to a broader patient base and enhance income potential.
More salary data for Cabot, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Cabot?
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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 $114,184 for optometristsin the Cabot 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 Cabot 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