Optometrist Salary in Coralville, IA: $120,906 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Coralville, IA earns a median $120,906/year (≈ $58.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $133,746 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Coralville, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $120,906, which represents a notable gap from the national median of $140,612. Salaries in this region range from $70,125 at the 10th percentile to $173,698 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and take into account the regional cost of living, which stands below the national average. As optometrists in Coralville are equipped to manage a broad scope of practice, including glaucoma and oral medication, the compensation reflects the increasing complexity and value of their roles within the healthcare community. This evolving job market indicates a demand for skilled optometrists who can offer expanded services beyond traditional eye care.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,125 | $33.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,339 | $46.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,906 | $58.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,942 | $66.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,698 | $83.51 |
Median Salary Position
14.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,573 (2026 est.). At $120,906, the local median is 14.01% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville Optometrist Pay Compares
Coralville median: $120,906/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $127,136 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -14.01% less |
Optometrists in Coralville, IA earn a median of $120,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.01% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $127,136.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $120,906 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,746 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,098
2025 BLS Actual
$117,430
2026 Current Est.
$120,906
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,098 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,506 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,989 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,061 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,906 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $99,098 (2019) to $117,430 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,387 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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) | $70,125 – $97,339 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,339 – $120,906 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,906 – $138,942 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,942 – $173,698 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Coralville
The local employment landscape features six optometrists, suggesting a concentrated market where demand may influence salary negotiations. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, professionals in Coralville may find that their earnings provide a competitive standard of living, especially as this figure is lower than the national baseline. Among potential employers, private optometry practices—particularly those following the OD/MD model—often yield higher wages due to shared revenue from surgical referrals. Factors affecting salary variation include practice ownership, additional training in ocular disease, and the agreements tied to private equity acquisitions of practice locations. To maximize earning potential in this market, optometrists may benefit from pursuing residency programs, enhancing their specialization, and actively seeking opportunities in upscale private practices while negotiating their terms of employment effectively.
More salary data for Coralville, IA:
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 $117,430 for optometristsin the Coralville 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 Coralville 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