Optometrist Salary in Brandon, MS: $114,846 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Brandon, MS earns a median $114,846/year (≈ $55.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Brandon's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $134,009 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected optometrist salary in Brandon, Mississippi, stands at $114,846, reflecting the state's expanded scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures. This competitive salary is accompanied by a range that spans from $66,611 at the 10th percentile to $168,065 at the 90th percentile, indicating potential for significant variation based on experience and practice setting. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional economic conditions, creating a localized context for understanding how optometrists are compensated in this market. With a small number of six optometrists currently practicing in Brandon, the job outlook reflects both opportunities and challenges within this community.
About the Brandon Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,611 | $32.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,908 | $45.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,846 | $55.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,172 | $66.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,065 | $80.80 |
Median Salary Position
18.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brandon
In Brandon, MS, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,454 (2026 est.). At $114,846, the local median is 18.32% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brandon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brandon Optometrist Pay Compares
Brandon median: $114,846/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brandon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $120,510 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -18.32% less |
Optometrists in Brandon, MS earn a median of $114,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.32% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.70% below the Mississippi state average of $120,510.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brandon has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brandon, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $114,846 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,009 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,131
2025 BLS Actual
$111,544
2026 Current Est.
$114,846
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Brandon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,131 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,418 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,522 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,576 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,697 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,477 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,544 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,846 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,245 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brandon metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $94,131 (2019) to $111,544 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,245 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,114 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brandon 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) | $66,611 – $93,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,908 – $114,846 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,846 – $139,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,172 – $168,065 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Brandon
The current job market for optometrists in Brandon offers unique dynamics, especially considering the lower cost of living index at 85.7 compared to the national average. This translates into a relative increase in the purchasing power of optometrists in the region. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include private optometry practices and specialized ophthalmology clinics, which benefit from patient referrals and advanced treatment options. Factors that influence the disparity in pay include practice ownership, training in ocular disease, and the operational models of retail versus private practices. Optometrists looking to maximize their salary in Brandon may benefit from pursuing advanced residency training and exploring opportunities in collaborative settings with ophthalmologists, ensuring they capitalize on their skills within this evolving field.
More salary data for Brandon, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $111,544 for optometristsin the Brandon 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 Brandon 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