Optometrist Salary in Gardner, KS: $118,528 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Gardner, KS earns a median $118,528/year (≈ $56.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $130,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gardner, Kansas, the projected optometrist salary in 2026 stands at $118,528, reflecting a notable difference compared to the national average of $140,612. Local professionals in this field encounter a salary range from $71,910 at the 10th percentile to $168,979 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living variations. The structure of employment is crucial; many optometrists operate as practice owners or associates in solo and group settings, often influencing their earnings. Additionally, those who choose to work in retail chains may experience different compensation dynamics, as the market in Gardner shifts toward a blend of private practices and corporate entities.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,910 | $34.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,039 | $47.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,528 | $56.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,947 | $68.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,979 | $81.24 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,069 (2026 est.). At $118,528, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Optometrist Pay Compares
Gardner median: $118,528/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $127,861 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -15.71% less |
Optometrists in Gardner, KS earn a median of $118,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $127,861.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $118,528 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,394 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,149
2025 BLS Actual
$115,120
2026 Current Est.
$118,528
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,149 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,509 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,777 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,865 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,897 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,528 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,036 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $97,149 (2019) to $115,120 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,036 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,887 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $71,910 – $99,039 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,039 – $118,528 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,528 – $141,947 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,947 – $168,979 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Gardner
Considering the local job market, Gardner is home to six optometrists, indicating a relatively small yet stable community for eye care professionals. The cost-of-living index is notably low at 90.9, which means that while the optometrist pay in Gardner, KS, is below the national median, take-home purchasing power can still be substantial. Among local employers, private optometry practices and eye clinics generally offer higher compensation than retail chains, like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Factors such as ownership equity and potential revenue from surgical referrals can significantly impact salary variations. To maximize income, optometrists in Gardner should consider pursuing residency training, particularly in ocular disease, to enhance their market value, or seek positions in practices that benefit from collaborative arrangements with ophthalmologists. With an annual growth rate of 2.96%, the field is likely to expand, presenting opportunities for new and existing practitioners.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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 $115,120 for optometristsin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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