Optometrist Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $146,059 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lake Stevens, WA earns a median $146,059/year (≈ $70.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lake Stevens's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $135,995 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Stevens, Washington, the projected optometrist salary in 2026 is set at $146,059, slightly outpacing the national median of $140,612 by about 3.87%. This figure reflects a competitive salary range, with earnings starting around $87,800 at the 10th percentile and extending up to $203,700 for those in the 90th percentile. Such variations in compensation can be attributed to the area's expanding scope of practice, including advanced treatments like glaucoma management and the prescription of oral medications. With estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, Lake Stevens's job market offers promising financial rewards for licensed optometrists, especially as the demand for eye care continues to grow amid evolving healthcare policies.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,800 | $42.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,021 | $58.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,059 | $70.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,879 | $82.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,700 | $97.94 |
Median Salary Position
3.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, WA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,900 (2026 est.). At $146,059, the local median is 3.87% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Stevens: You'd be above the median
How Lake Stevens Optometrist Pay Compares
Lake Stevens median: $146,059/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Stevens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $151,043 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.87% more |
Optometrists in Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $146,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.87% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $151,043.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Stevens has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Stevens, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $146,059 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,995 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,714
2025 BLS Actual
$141,860
2026 Current Est.
$146,059
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,714 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,623 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,115 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,455 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,968 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,733 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,059 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,382 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Stevens metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,714 (2019) to $141,860 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,382 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,668 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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) | $87,800 – $122,021 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,021 – $146,059 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,059 – $170,879 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,879 – $203,700 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lake Stevens
With only nine optometrists currently employed in Lake Stevens, the job market is relatively compact, but it benefits from a cost-of-living index of 107.4, which may affect overall purchasing power. As retailers and private equity firms consolidate practices, potential earnings can vastly differ based on employment settings. Those working in established ophthalmology practices or through collaborative ODs with surgical providers often command higher salaries due to shared revenue from surgical referrals. In contrast, retail chains might offer more stable but lower pay. To maximize optometrist pay in Lake Stevens, pursuing a residency focused on ocular disease or seeking positions in specialty practices might yield better financial outcomes. Adaptability to the changing employment trends and a sound understanding of local market dynamics will be essential in navigating this compact field.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, WA:
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 $141,860 for optometristsin the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens 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