Optometrist Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $135,887 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $135,887/year (≈ $65.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $134,933 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Colorado Springs, the optometrist salary is projected to reach a median annual amount of $135,887 in 2026, aligning closely with the evolving scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and laser procedures. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $66,595 at the 10th percentile to $201,163 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant opportunities for specialization and practice ownership. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showcase the potential for earning in a city where job opportunities are influenced by the expanding responsibilities of optometrists. With approximately 100 optometrists employed in the region, the local job market is shaping up to offer competitive compensation in light of these advancements.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,595 | $32.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,328 | $50.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,887 | $65.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,809 | $78.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,163 | $96.72 |
Median Salary Position
3.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,568 (2026 est.). At $135,887, the local median is 3.36% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be above the median
How Colorado Springs Optometrist Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $135,887/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $147,703 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.36% less |
Optometrists in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $135,887 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.36% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $147,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,887 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,933 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,260
2025 BLS Actual
$131,980
2026 Current Est.
$135,887
2019–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,887 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,909 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 26.6% from $104,260 (2019) to $131,980 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,909 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,649 (34.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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) | $66,595 – $105,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,328 – $135,887 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,887 – $163,809 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,809 – $201,163 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Colorado Springs
Looking deeper into the local job market, the current presence of 100 optometrists in Colorado Springs signifies a stable industry, but the cost of living index at 100.707 also highlights the importance of salary considerations for take-home pay. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries in the area include private optometry practices, especially those with an OD/MD model, which often have the advantage of surgical referral revenue. Conversely, retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision may pay less but offer other benefits. Factors such as practice ownership equity, residency training—particularly in ocular disease or VA pathways—and the employment terms following private equity acquisitions explain the salary spread. For those looking to maximize optometrist pay in Colorado Springs, acquiring specialized training and considering mixed-practice environments can enhance earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, CO:
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 $131,980 for optometristsin the Colorado Springs 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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