Optometrist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $130,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lincoln, NE earns a median $130,255/year (≈ $62.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $142,229 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
2026 estimates indicate that an optometrist in Lincoln, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $130,255, which is somewhat lower than the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists varies widely, with the lowest 10% earning $56,793 and the top 90% making as much as $199,619. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the structural choices within the job market in Lincoln. Factors such as practice ownership, employed associates, and retail chain positions can significantly influence salary levels. For instance, those in private practice or working alongside ophthalmologists typically earn more compared to those employed by retail chains, highlighting the diverse professional opportunities within Lincoln's optometric landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,793 | $27.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,418 | $36.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,255 | $62.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,552 | $70.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,619 | $95.97 |
Median Salary Position
7.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,826 (2026 est.). At $130,255, the local median is 7.37% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be above the median
How Lincoln Optometrist Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $130,255/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $128,710 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.37% less |
Optometrists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $130,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.37% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.20% above the Nebraska state average of $128,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,255 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,229 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,450
2025 BLS Actual
$126,510
2026 Current Est.
$130,255
2019–2027 Growth
+58.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,110 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 49.8% from $84,450 (2019) to $126,510 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,110 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,660 (58.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $56,793 – $75,418 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,418 – $130,255 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,255 – $147,552 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,552 – $199,619 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lincoln
The local job market is reinforced by approximately 70 optometrists employed in the Lincoln area, contributing to a competitive environment for practitioners. With a cost-of-living index of 91.581, living expenses here are notably lower than the national average, enhancing the take-home purchasing power for optometrists. Within this market, private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics tend to offer higher salaries compared to retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. The significant pay disparity can be attributed to factors such as ownership equity, collaboration with surgeons in an OD/MD model, and the structured compensation agreements in private equity-owned practices. To maximize earning potential, new graduates or seasoned practitioners should consider pursuing residency training in ocular disease or opting for roles in specialty settings that leverage advanced skills and expanded scopes of practice.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 $126,510 for optometristsin the Lincoln 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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