Optometrist Salary in Rawlins, WY: $127,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Rawlins, WY earns a median $127,249/year (≈ $61.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Rawlins's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $132,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rawlins, Wyoming, optometrists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $127,249 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $140,612. This figure reflects an established practice of surgical co-management revenue alongside optometry services, which enhances the overall compensation of practitioners in the area. The salary range for optometrists here spans from $73,805 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $182,256 for those at the top end (90th percentile), indicating a competitive market that rewards experience and specialization. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, further illustrate the nuances of income variation in Rawlins, suggesting potential for growth as the optometry landscape evolves.
About the Rawlins Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,805 | $35.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,880 | $48.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,249 | $61.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,510 | $69.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,256 | $87.62 |
Median Salary Position
9.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rawlins
In Rawlins, WY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,451 (2026 est.). At $127,249, the local median is 9.5% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rawlins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rawlins Optometrist Pay Compares
Rawlins median: $127,249/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rawlins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $134,229 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.50% less |
Optometrists in Rawlins, WY earn a median of $127,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.50% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.20% below the Wyoming state average of $134,229.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rawlins has a cost of living 4.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rawlins, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,249 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,828 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,297
2025 BLS Actual
$123,591
2026 Current Est.
$127,249
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Rawlins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,297 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,831 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,487 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,654 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,329 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,221 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,591 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,016 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rawlins metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $104,297 (2019) to $123,591 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,016 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,719 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rawlins 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) | $73,805 – $101,880 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,880 – $127,249 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,249 – $145,510 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,510 – $182,256 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Rawlins
A closer look at Rawlins's job market reveals that there are currently four optometrists employed, creating a tight-knit community that may offer opportunities for collaboration and referrals. With a cost-of-living index of 95.8, the financial reality for optometrists in Rawlins is more favorable when considering purchasing power, despite the slightly lower salary averages compared to national figures. Employers like retail chains, private practices, and ophthalmology groups are among the highest payers here, with the potential for earnings variance mainly driven by practice ownership, the type of practice setting, and additional revenue from surgical referrals—elements that influence both financial stability and growth. Maximizing earnings in this market can involve focusing on building a residency-trained practice specializing in areas like ocular disease or engaging in the OD/MD model, which not only boosts compensation but also expands service offerings in a changing scope-of-practice environment.
More salary data for Rawlins, WY:
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 $123,591 for optometristsin the Rawlins 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 Rawlins 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