Optometrist Salary in Erie, CO: $146,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Erie, CO earns a median $146,085/year (≈ $70.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Erie's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $139,129 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Erie, Colorado, the optometrist salary for 2026 is projected at $146,085, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape that is approximately 3.89% higher than the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this area varies significantly, from $84,729 at the 10th percentile to $205,074 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the structural choices affecting income, such as practice ownership versus working as an employed associate or within retail optical chains. Given Erie’s unique market dynamics, those operating private practices may see different earning potential compared to their peers in retail settings, underscoring the importance of how one approaches their career in optometry.
About the Erie Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,729 | $40.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,230 | $56.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,085 | $70.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,724 | $82.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,074 | $98.59 |
Median Salary Position
3.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, CO, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,345 (2026 est.). At $146,085, the local median is 3.89% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be above the median
How Erie Optometrist Pay Compares
Erie median: $146,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $147,710 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.89% more |
Optometrists in Erie, CO earn a median of $146,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.89% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.10% below the Colorado state average of $147,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $146,085 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,129 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,735
2025 BLS Actual
$141,885
2026 Current Est.
$146,085
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,735 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,137 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,478 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,992 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,448 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,885 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,409 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,735 (2019) to $141,885 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,409 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,674 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $84,729 – $117,230 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,230 – $146,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,085 – $171,724 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,724 – $205,074 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Erie
The job market in Erie consists of five employed optometrists who contribute to a relatively robust local economy, but the cost-of-living index stands at 105—a reflection of expenses that are slightly above the national average. This reality affects take-home purchasing power, making salary negotiations even more critical for new ODs. Among local employers, private optometry practices tend to offer the most competitive pay, often outpacing retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks. The variation in earnings is driven by factors such as practice ownership equity, associations with ophthalmology practices that provide surgical referral revenue, and the impact of residency training, especially with a focus on ocular disease. To maximize their pay in Erie, optometrists should consider building networks with local referral sources, potentially enhancing their income through collaborative care models while staying informed on practice acquisition trends and the evolving scope of optometry practices in Colorado.
More salary data for Erie, 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 $141,885 for optometristsin the Erie 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 Erie 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