According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 40,000 optometrists were employed in the United States as of May 2024. At that time, approximately 4,550 optometrists were working across the four-state Southwestern U.S. region. BLS data indicated that this region was relatively weak in terms of optometrist pay. While New Mexico ranked among the top 10 states for annual mean wage, it accounted for less than 3% of the region’s optometrists. Nearly 78% of optometrists in the region earned below the national average. A closer look at BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about optometrist pay in the Southwestern United States:
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Optometrist Pay in the Southwestern U.S. |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| AZ | 960 | $139,300 | 22nd |
| NM | 140 | $159,800 | 7th |
| OK | 580 | $105,920 | 48th |
| TX | 3,180 | $132,370 | 31st |
| U.S. | 40,900 | $137,190 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on November 7, 2025
Interesting data on Southwestern optometrist pay! Location clearly impacts earning potential. Wonder if further analysis by experience level or specialization would reveal more nuanced trends. Maybe diversifying income streams, like offering specialized services or even developing a mobile vision clinic, could help bridge the gap. Kinda like strategically placing pieces in Block Blast to maximize space!
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