Optometrist Salary in Shelbyville, IN: $132,219 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Shelbyville, IN earns a median $132,219/year (≈ $63.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Shelbyville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $144,818 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Shelbyville, Indiana, benefit from a supportive scope of practice that includes glaucoma management and the ability to prescribe certain medications, which can influence local salary dynamics. In 2026, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in the area is set at $132,219, with a salary range from $76,687 at the lower percentile to as high as $178,178 at the upper extreme. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living variations. Compared to the national median of $140,612 for that same year, Shelbyville's optometrist pay is about 5.97% lower. The presence of five employed optometrists indicates a niche market that may offer opportunities for growth as the demand for expanded services continues to rise.
About the Shelbyville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,687 | $36.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,671 | $51.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,219 | $63.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,957 | $73.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,178 | $85.66 |
Median Salary Position
5.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelbyville
In Shelbyville, IN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,491 (2026 est.). At $132,219, the local median is 5.97% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelbyville: You'd be above the median
How Shelbyville Optometrist Pay Compares
Shelbyville median: $132,219/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelbyville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,886 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.97% less |
Optometrists in Shelbyville, IN earn a median of $132,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.97% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.80% below the Indiana state average of $138,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelbyville has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shelbyville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $132,219 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,818 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% 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
$108,371
2025 BLS Actual
$128,418
2026 Current Est.
$132,219
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Shelbyville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,371 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,003 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,093 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,989 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,046 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,219 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,133 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelbyville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,371 (2019) to $128,418 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,133 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,762 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shelbyville 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) | $76,687 – $106,671 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,671 – $132,219 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,219 – $151,957 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,957 – $178,178 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Shelbyville
The local job market for optometrists in Shelbyville is complemented by a cost-of-living index of 91.3, suggesting that purchasing power is relatively favorable despite the lower salary compared to national averages. Among employers in the region, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups tend to offer the most competitive salaries. The spread between lower and higher incomes can often be attributed to factors such as ownership equity in practices, whether an optometrist is employing a surgical referral model in collaboration with ophthalmologists, or the differing compensation structures prevalent in retail chains. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Shelbyville, strategies could include pursuing residency training, particularly in ocular disease, which is increasingly valued. Additionally, understanding the evolving landscape of the healthcare system and its implications for optometry services will be crucial in navigating the path to higher compensation.
More salary data for Shelbyville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Shelbyville, IN in 2026?
Is Shelbyville, IN a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Shelbyville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Shelbyville?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Shelbyville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $128,418 for optometristsin the Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville 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