Optometrist Salary in Smyrna, GA: $129,946 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Smyrna, GA earns a median $129,946/year (≈ $62.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Smyrna's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $139,577 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, Georgia, the projected optometrist salary in 2026 is set at $129,946, which is slightly below the national average of $140,612. The salary range varies significantly, from $75,369 at the lower end (P10) to $189,722 at the upper end (P90), reflecting a diverse market with varying practice structures. Optometrists in this area can choose to work in private practices, align with retail chains, or operate independently, and these organizational choices significantly influence their compensation. Given the recent trends in private equity acquiring traditional practices, there’s a compelling opportunity for those who aspire to ownership, balancing patient care with the potential for higher earnings in a market experiencing 2.96% annual growth.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,369 | $36.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,900 | $49.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,946 | $62.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,493 | $75.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,722 | $91.21 |
Median Salary Position
7.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Smyrna
In Smyrna, GA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,353 (2026 est.). At $129,946, the local median is 7.59% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Smyrna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Smyrna Optometrist Pay Compares
Smyrna median: $129,946/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Smyrna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $134,242 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.59% less |
Optometrists in Smyrna, GA earn a median of $129,946 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.59% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.20% below the Georgia state average of $134,242.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Smyrna has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Smyrna, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $129,946 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,577 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,507
2025 BLS Actual
$126,210
2026 Current Est.
$129,946
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,507 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,095 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,871 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,063 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,857 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,946 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,792 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Smyrna metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $106,507 (2019) to $126,210 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,792 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,285 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Smyrna 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) | $75,369 – $103,900 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,900 – $129,946 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,946 – $156,493 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,493 – $189,722 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Smyrna
With nine optometrists currently employed in Smyrna, the job market density remains relatively low, impacting local competition and salary dynamics. The cost of living index at 93.1 suggests that, while the optometrist pay in Smyrna GA is competitive, it aligns with a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages. Among the employers, private practices often offer the highest compensation, particularly those with a focus on specialty care, such as ocular disease management or connections with surgical services. Factors like residency training, practice ownership equity, and the operational model—be it standalone, group practice, or retail chain—significantly contribute to income variations. For those looking to maximize pay in this market, pursuing residency training, obtaining certifications in expanding scopes of practice, or considering entrepreneurial pathways in private practice could be effective strategies for enhancing both earnings and professional fulfillment.
More salary data for Smyrna, GA:
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 $126,210 for optometristsin the Smyrna 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 Smyrna 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