Optometrist Salary in Lewiston, ID: $128,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lewiston, ID earns a median $128,866/year (≈ $61.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $135,221 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual pay for an optometrist in Lewiston, Idaho, is projected to reach $128,866, which is about 8.35% lower than the national average of $140,612. The salary spectrum is quite wide, ranging from $76,802 at the lower end to as high as $186,241 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate a competitive market for optometrists in this city. Achieving higher compensation is often linked to practice ownership, with those engaged in surgical co-management alongside MDs frequently seeing an increase in their earnings potential. In Lewiston, the growing emphasis on specialized care, such as disease management and surgical referrals, can elevate optometry practices and broaden revenue streams.
About the Lewiston Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,802 | $36.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,765 | $51.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,866 | $61.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,735 | $74.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,241 | $89.53 |
Median Salary Position
8.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ID, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,439 (2026 est.). At $128,866, the local median is 8.35% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Optometrist Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $128,866/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $133,956 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.35% less |
Optometrists in Lewiston, ID earn a median of $128,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.35% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.80% below the Idaho state average of $133,956.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $128,866 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,221 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,622
2025 BLS Actual
$125,161
2026 Current Est.
$128,866
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,622 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,188 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,916 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,098 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,844 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,161 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,680 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $105,622 (2019) to $125,161 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,680 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,058 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $76,802 – $106,765 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,765 – $128,866 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,866 – $154,735 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,735 – $186,241 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lewiston
Currently, Lewiston has eight optometrists serving its population, reflecting a modest but steady job market. The local cost of living index sits at 95.3, resulting in a favorable purchasing power for those practicing in the area. Optometrists employed in established private practices, especially those collaborating with ophthalmology practices under OD/MD models, tend to earn more compared to those working for retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Variability in salaries may also stem from ownership equity, the demand for specialty skills, and the hiring practices of private equity-acquired practices. For optometrists in Lewiston, strategies to enhance pay could include pursuing residency training, especially in lucrative specialties such as ocular disease, and actively seeking roles in practices that offer profit-sharing arrangements or tailored compensation plans resulting from post-acquisition adjustments.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
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 $125,161 for optometristsin the Lewiston 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 Lewiston 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