Optometrist Salary in Tulsa, OK: $103,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Tulsa, OK earns a median $103,217/year (≈ $49.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Tulsa's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $115,696 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.4% below the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an optometrist in Tulsa, Oklahoma, can expect a median annual salary of $103,217, which is significantly lower than the projected national median of $140,612. This salary range is substantial, stretching from $78,898 at the lower decile to as much as $185,987 for those in the top decile. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects how Oklahoma's expanding scope of practice—including the ability to manage glaucoma, prescribe oral medications, and perform certain laser procedures—creates a rich environment for optometrists. However, the role's compensation also illustrates the local market dynamics and distinct differences from the national averages. Understanding these factors can provide valuable insights into the job market for optometrists in Tulsa.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,898 | $37.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,836 | $45.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,217 | $49.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,161 | $74.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,987 | $89.42 |
Median Salary Position
26.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulsa
In Tulsa, OK, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,089 (2026 est.). At $103,217, the local median is 26.59% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulsa: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Tulsa Optometrist Pay Compares
Tulsa median: $103,217/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulsa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $124,961 | -17.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -26.59% less |
Optometrists in Tulsa, OK earn a median of $103,217 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.59% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 17.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $124,961.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulsa has a cost of living 10.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulsa, OK has a cost-of-living index of 89.214 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $103,217 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,696 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,810
2025 BLS Actual
$100,250
2026 Current Est.
$103,217
2019–2027 Growth
+0.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulsa metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -5.3% from $105,810 (2019) to $100,250 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $463 (0.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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) | $78,898 – $94,836 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,836 – $103,217 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,217 – $155,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,161 – $185,987 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Tulsa
Tulsa's job market for optometrists is robust, with approximately 190 professionals currently employed in the field. Given the cost-of-living index for the area stands at 89.214—indicating a lower living cost compared to the national average—this can positively influence take-home purchasing power for optometrists. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and ophthalmology practices that operate on an OD/MD model. The disparity in compensation often arises from various factors, such as practice ownership equity, the synergy between optometrists and ophthalmologists, and the complexity of employment agreements in private equity-acquired practices. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Tulsa, pursuing residency training in ocular disease and aligning with successful, high-volume practices can be effective strategies. Understanding these intricacies can help optometrists effectively position themselves within the evolving Tulsa optometry landscape.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Tulsa?
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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 $100,250 for optometristsin the Tulsa 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, 6-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