HealthcareUpdated Q1 2026

Optometrist Salary
in Little Rock, AR

Examine eyes for vision problems and disease, prescribing corrective lenses and treatment. Median salary in Little Rock: $121K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$121K
per year
Take-home: $79K

Salary range in Little Rock

Entry level (25th)$99,000
Median (50th)$121,000
Senior (75th)$148,000
Top earner (90th)$185,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Little Rock, Arkansas. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Little Rock

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

12% discount vs national median

Optometrists in Little Rock earn approximately 12% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $17,000 discount on annual base salary. Little Rock's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 82 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Little Rock's cost-of-living index (82), the median Optometrist salary buys the equivalent of $147,561 in a US-average-cost city. That's $9,561 more purchasing power than the national median β€” a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Primarily on-site role

Only 5% of Optometrist positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Little Rock salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Little Rock

Median salary
$121K
annual
Take-home pay
$79K
after fed/state tax
COL index
82
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.9%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$950
per month
YoY growth
+2.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Little Rock Optometrist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $121K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Little Rock

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Optometrist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$101K$110K$119K$128K$137K201920212023202520272029
2026
$124K
projected
2027
$127K
projected
2028
$130K
projected
2029
$134K
projected
2030
$137K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$121,000+$0
2028 projected$121,000+$0
2029 projected$121,000+$0
2030 projected$121,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Optometrist Salary in Little Rock, Arkansas: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Optometrist salary in Little Rock, AR is $121,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Little Rock–AR metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Optometrist in Little Rock

Entry-level Optometrists in Little Rock with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $99,000 and $121,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $121,000 to $148,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $148,000 to $185,000 or more.

Cost of living in Little Rock for Optometrists

Little Rock has a cost of living index of 82 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 18% further in Little Rock than the national average. Arkansas has a 4.9% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Optometrist

Doctor of Optometry (OD); state licensure. 5% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Optometrist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Little Rock (current)$121K82
Fort Smith$104K75
Fayetteville$117K85