As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Optometrist in Temple, TX is $125,829 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, an Optometrist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Optometrist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Optometrist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Optometrist | $123,013 |
| Intermediate Level Optometrist | $123,482 |
| Senior Level Optometrist | $126,600 |
| Specialist Level Optometrist | $130,922 |
| Expert Level Optometrist | $131,694 |
What Am I Worth?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | 7.87% |
| Long Term Care | 3.28% |
| Geriatrics | 2.31% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Wholesale
|
$139,670 |
11%
|
|
Financial Risk
|
$138,412 |
10%
|
|
Innovation
|
$137,153 |
9%
|
|
Collaborating
|
$137,153 |
9%
|
|
Motivating
|
$137,153 |
9%
|
|
Pathology
|
$135,895 |
8%
|
Optometrist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $135,000. While startup companies pay approximate $114,602.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $114,602 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $121,087 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $130,489 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $135,000 |
For Optometrist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Optometrist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Optometrist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $163,577 | $79.0 | 30% |
Understanding how an Optometrist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Optometrist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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