Optometrist Salary in Dover, DE: $170,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Dover, DE earns a median $170,564/year (≈ $82.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $174,925 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.3% above the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Dover, Delaware, is projected to be around $170,564, significantly surpassing the national median of $140,612 by 21.30%. Moreover, salaries in this field will range from $106,049 at the 10th percentile to as high as $208,854 at the 90th percentile. This data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and projected based on 2025 data, highlights how the state's expanded scope of practice—including glaucoma treatment, oral medications, and laser procedures—positively impacts compensation for optometrists. Given the current employment landscape, with an estimated 30 optometrists working in the area, the market conditions in Dover are favorable for practitioners looking to establish or grow their practice.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,049 | $50.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,305 | $66.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,564 | $82.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,069 | $93.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,854 | $100.41 |
Median Salary Position
21.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,805 (2026 est.). At $170,564, the local median is 21.3% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be above the median
How Dover Optometrist Pay Compares
Dover median: $170,564/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $142,970 | +19.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +21.30% more |
Optometrists in Dover, DE earn a median of $170,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.30% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 19.30% above the Delaware state average of $142,970.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $170,564 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $174,925 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$139,799
2025 BLS Actual
$165,660
2026 Current Est.
$170,564
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $143,195 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,776 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,341 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,612 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $139,799 (2019) to $165,660 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,612 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,813 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $106,049 – $139,305 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,305 – $170,564 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,564 – $194,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,069 – $208,854 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Dover
The local job market for optometrists in Dover is characterized by a competitive salary environment, especially compared to the regional cost of living index, which sits at 97.507, reflecting affordability below the national average. Employers that typically offer higher pay in the area include private optometry practices and ophthalmology centers, where optometrists can take advantage of increased revenue streams through collaboration on surgical procedures. The disparity between salaries is often influenced by factors such as practice ownership, the integration of optometry within multidisciplinary settings like OD/MD models, and the experience level, such as residency-trained optometrists who tend to command higher compensation. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this market, focusing on building a strong referral network, continuing education, and possibly partnering with ophthalmologists could significantly enhance income potential.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Dover, DE in 2026?
Is Dover, DE a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Dover?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Dover?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Dover?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 $165,660 for optometristsin the Dover 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, 3-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