Optometrist.
Tulsa.
$107,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$91,000 to $132,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Optometrist pay in Tulsa ranges from $91,000 to $132,000 in 2026. The median is $107,000, 16% below the national average. Tulsa has diversified beyond energy into aerospace, healthcare, and a growing tech remote work community. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $96,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$70,000
to $86,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$91,000
to $112,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$118,000
to $139,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$134,000
to $166,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $24,000 to the total package.
Base
$107,000
Equity
$13,000
Bonus
$9,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $131,000
How Tulsa compares
Tulsa, OK
$107,000
Cost of living: 17% below average
National Average
$128,000
Tulsa is $21,000 below
Optometrist salary by city
Salary by role in Tulsa
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Optometrist offer in Tulsa, understand the terrain. Tulsa has diversified beyond energy into aerospace, healthcare, and a growing tech remote work community. The Tulsa Remote program has attracted thousands of remote workers with financial incentives. The extremely affordable cost of living means salaries stretch further here than almost anywhere. Practice ownership versus employment is the largest income differentiator for optometrists. States with expanded scope allowing therapeutic procedures and medical management increase earning potential. Optometrists specializing in ocular disease management, specialty contact lenses, or pediatric vision earn above those in routine refraction-only settings.
New associate optometrists start at $105,000 to $120,000 on base plus production models. Experienced ODs with strong patient loyalty earn $130,000 to $155,000 after five to seven years. Practice owners or partners in multi-doctor practices can reach $170,000 to $250,000 depending on revenue and overhead management. In Tulsa, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 17% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Employed optometrists typically receive production bonuses of 15 to 25% above a base salary guarantee. Benefits include vision and health insurance, CE allowances, malpractice coverage, and optical frame discounts. Practice owners retain higher gross income but manage significant overhead. And on the tax side: oklahoma's top income tax rate is 4.75%. Tulsa has no city income tax. The low rate plus extremely affordable housing create exceptional purchasing power. When someone quotes you $107,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Mention the Tulsa Remote program ecosystem. Employers know that remote workers are choosing Tulsa for the cost of living, and they benchmark accordingly against coastal rates. The range for Optometrists in Tulsa runs from $91,000 to $132,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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- A AI Interaction Designer in Tulsa earns $108,000 (1% more)
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Common questions.
Optometrist salary in other cities
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