Optometrist Salary in Scarborough, ME: $133,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Scarborough, ME earns a median $133,621/year (≈ $64.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Scarborough's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $134,158 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Scarborough, ME, the projected median annual optometrist salary for 2026 is $133,621, which sits slightly below the national median of $140,612. This figure reflects a broad earning range, from $77,500 at the 10th percentile to $180,509 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, highlight that while the salary opportunities are promising, they are modest compared to the national average. The local job market appears competitive, influenced by the state's comprehensive scope of practice covering glaucoma management and the prescription of oral medications. As such, optometrists who can tap into these advanced services may have a better chance at securing higher compensation in Scarborough.
About the Scarborough Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,346 | $54.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,621 | $64.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,842 | $73.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,509 | $86.78 |
Median Salary Position
4.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scarborough
In Scarborough, ME, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,009 (2026 est.). At $133,621, the local median is 4.97% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scarborough: You'd be above the median
How Scarborough Optometrist Pay Compares
Scarborough median: $133,621/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scarborough Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $140,064 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.97% less |
Optometrists in Scarborough, ME earn a median of $133,621 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.60% below the Maine state average of $140,064.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scarborough has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scarborough, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,621 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,158 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,520
2025 BLS Actual
$129,780
2026 Current Est.
$133,621
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Scarborough (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,181 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,346 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,304 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,537 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scarborough metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,520 (2019) to $129,780 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,057 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scarborough 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) | $77,500 – $113,346 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,346 – $133,621 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,621 – $153,842 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,842 – $180,509 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Scarborough
The local job market is relatively small, with only five optometrists currently employed in Scarborough. With a cost-of-living index of 99.6, the region is just shy of the national average, which can affect the overall purchasing power of clinician salaries. Among the available employment settings, private optometry practices tend to offer the highest pay, particularly those operating under an OD/MD model that allows for collaborative care with ophthalmologists. Meanwhile, retail optical chains generally provide less favorable compensation. Factors such as practice ownership equity and the presence of residency-trained optometrists specializing in ocular disease can create a wide range between salaries. To maximize pay potential in Scarborough, newly graduated optometrists may consider pursuing advanced training, negotiating better terms with former private practices now under private equity, or seeking positions within practices that emphasize specialty care.
More salary data for Scarborough, ME:
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 $129,780 for optometristsin the Scarborough 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 Scarborough 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