Optometrist Salary in Hobbs, NM: $129,070 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hobbs, NM earns a median $129,070/year (≈ $62.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hobbs's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $136,727 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hobbs, New Mexico, optometrists earn a median annual salary of $129,070, reflecting the expanded scope of practice that allows for the management of glaucoma, administration of oral medications, and performance of certain laser procedures. This competitive compensation is situated within a salary range from $74,860 at the lower end (P10) to $189,300 for the top earners (P90). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variances. While the median salary in Hobbs is slightly below the national average of $140,612 for optometrists, the local market provides unique opportunities due to its relatively low cost of living, which hovers around a CoL index of 94.4.
About the Hobbs Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,671 | $52.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,665 | $75.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,300 | $91.01 |
Median Salary Position
8.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hobbs
In Hobbs, NM, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,440 (2026 est.). At $129,070, the local median is 8.21% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hobbs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hobbs Optometrist Pay Compares
Hobbs median: $129,070/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hobbs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $132,788 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.21% less |
Optometrists in Hobbs, NM earn a median of $129,070 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.21% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% below the New Mexico state average of $132,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hobbs has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hobbs, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $129,070 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,727 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,789
2025 BLS Actual
$125,359
2026 Current Est.
$129,070
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hobbs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,789 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,359 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,096 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,036 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,493 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,359 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,070 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,890 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hobbs metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $105,789 (2019) to $125,359 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,890 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,101 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hobbs 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) | $74,860 – $108,671 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,671 – $129,070 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,070 – $156,665 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,665 – $189,300 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hobbs
The job market for optometrists in Hobbs is characterized by a small but solid workforce, with only nine professionals currently employed in the area. Despite its modest size, the local optometrist pay structure benefits from lower living costs, which can enhance take-home purchasing power. Employers that offer competitive salaries include private optometry practices, retail chains, and occasionally ophthalmology models that may share surgical revenues. Variability in pay can stem from factors like practice ownership, additional training through residencies, and the financial terms following acquisitions by private equity firms. For those looking to maximize earnings, pursuing advanced training in ocular disease, considering partnerships or ownership in private practices, and staying updated on regulatory changes can be effective strategies in the Hobbs market.
More salary data for Hobbs, NM:
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 $125,359 for optometristsin the Hobbs 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 Hobbs 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