Optometrist Salary in Urbandale, IA: $121,451 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Urbandale, IA earns a median $121,451/year (≈ $58.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $134,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, IA, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $121,451, which reflects a notable difference from the national median of $140,612. With a salary range spanning from $70,972 at the 10th percentile to $173,715 at the 90th percentile, the local market draws attention due to its relatively lower compensation compared to the national average—approximately 13.63% less. The figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the region's cost of living. Given the comprehensive scope of practice available to optometrists in Iowa, including the management of glaucoma and the prescription of oral medications, these higher skill sets may not be fully reflected in the pay scale, suggesting a potential area for growth in the job market.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,972 | $34.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,676 | $47.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,451 | $58.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,005 | $69.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,715 | $83.52 |
Median Salary Position
13.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,743 (2026 est.). At $121,451, the local median is 13.63% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Optometrist Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $121,451/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $127,173 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -13.63% less |
Optometrists in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $121,451 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.63% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $127,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $121,451 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,348 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% 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
$99,544
2025 BLS Actual
$117,959
2026 Current Est.
$121,451
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,544 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,963 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,361 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,475 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,891 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,557 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,959 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,451 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,046 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $99,544 (2019) to $117,959 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,502 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $70,972 – $99,676 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,676 – $121,451 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,451 – $145,005 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,005 – $173,715 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Urbandale
With only 12 optometrists employed in Urbandale, the job market remains quite concentrated, making competition for positions moderate. The local cost of living index is set at 90.4, indicating an overall lower living expense compared to the national average. Consequently, this could improve the purchasing power for those earning optometrist pay in Urbandale IA. Notably, compensation levels can vary greatly depending on the type of practice; retail optical chains like Walmart Vision and larger ophthalmology practices may offer more structured salary packages, while private practices might provide additional incentives tied to practice ownership or partnerships. To maximize earnings, aspiring optometrists could benefit from seeking residencies focused on ocular disease or exploring employment opportunities within multi-disciplinary setups that integrate optometry and ophthalmology, thereby expanding their roles within higher revenue-generating environments.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Urbandale, IA in 2026?
Is Urbandale, IA a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Urbandale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Urbandale?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Urbandale?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $117,959 for optometristsin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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