Optometrist Salary in Hopkinsville, KY: $122,360 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hopkinsville, KY earns a median $122,360/year (≈ $58.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hopkinsville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $137,021 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average optometrist salary in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, is projected to be $122,360. This places local compensation significantly below the national median of $140,612, illustrating a variance of nearly 13%. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $70,968 on the lower end to $179,668 at the high end, indicating diverse opportunities contingent on various factors such as experience and practice setting. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost of living, reflect the unique dynamics at play in Hopkinsville's healthcare market, including the lucrative nature of revenue generated through OD/MD surgical co-management models.
About the Hopkinsville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,968 | $34.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,890 | $46.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,360 | $58.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,425 | $69.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,668 | $86.38 |
Median Salary Position
12.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hopkinsville
In Hopkinsville, KY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,700 (2026 est.). At $122,360, the local median is 12.98% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hopkinsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hopkinsville Optometrist Pay Compares
Hopkinsville median: $122,360/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hopkinsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,626 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.98% less |
Optometrists in Hopkinsville, KY earn a median of $122,360 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.98% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% below the Kentucky state average of $125,626.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hopkinsville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hopkinsville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $122,360 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,021 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,290
2025 BLS Actual
$118,842
2026 Current Est.
$122,360
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hopkinsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,726 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,165 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,287 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,164 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,842 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,360 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,982 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hopkinsville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $100,290 (2019) to $118,842 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,982 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,692 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hopkinsville 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) | $70,968 – $95,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,890 – $122,360 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,360 – $144,425 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,425 – $179,668 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hopkinsville
Currently, the local job market is home to six optometrists, with a cost-of-living index of 89.3 indicating a more favorable living situation compared to many other areas. This lower cost of living enhances the real value of take-home pay for the optometrists practicing in Hopkinsville. Notably, private practices and ophthalmology groups tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors like ownership stakes, practice structures, and the dynamics between retail operations and privately owned practices, as those affiliated with residency training or involved in OD/MD collaborations may command higher salaries. To maximize earnings, aspiring optometrists in Hopkinsville should consider pursuing advanced training pathways or exploring lucrative partnerships that leverage their qualifications in a region growing in both demand and scope of practice opportunities.
More salary data for Hopkinsville, KY:
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 $118,842 for optometristsin the Hopkinsville 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 Hopkinsville 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