Optometrist Salary in Billings, MT: $137,059 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Billings, MT earns a median $137,059/year (≈ $65.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Billings's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $142,473 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Billings, Montana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $137,059. This figure is slightly below the national median of $140,612, which demonstrates a nuanced local job market influenced by factors like the OD/MD model for surgical co-management. Local estimates suggest salaries can range from $79,494 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $202,209 at the high end (90th percentile). The variety in compensation showcases the importance of practice ownership, specialization, and collaboration with ophthalmologists, which can significantly enhance revenue opportunities for those in the field.
About the Billings Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,494 | $38.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,401 | $51.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,059 | $65.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,573 | $79.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,209 | $97.21 |
Median Salary Position
2.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,715 (2026 est.). At $137,059, the local median is 2.53% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Optometrist Pay Compares
Billings median: $137,059/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $132,938 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.53% less |
Optometrists in Billings, MT earn a median of $137,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.53% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.10% above the Montana state average of $132,938.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $137,059 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,473 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,920
2025 BLS Actual
$133,119
2026 Current Est.
$137,059
2019–2027 Growth
+83.5%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,059 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,116 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 73.1% from $76,920 (2019) to $133,119 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,116 by 2027 — a total increase of $64,196 (83.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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) | $79,494 – $107,401 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,401 – $137,059 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,059 – $165,573 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,573 – $202,209 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Billings
With 26 optometrists currently employed in the area, Billings reflects a stable job market despite its lower cost of living index of 96.2. This slightly below-average index allows for greater purchasing power, making it feasible for practitioners to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle on their earnings. In terms of employers, private optometry practices and OD/MD collaborative settings generally offer competitive salaries, while retail chains often lag behind but may provide more extensive benefits. Variability in pay is driven by experiences like practice ownership equity and whether one has completed residency training, particularly in areas like ocular disease, which can elevate earning potential. For those looking to maximize their pay in Billings, focusing on specialty areas or exploring partnerships with ophthalmology practices may offer a lucrative path forward.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 $133,119 for optometristsin the Billings 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 Billings 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