Optometrist Salary

Beavercreek vs Columbus: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Beavercreek, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beavercreek, OH
$143,338
$68.91/hr
Columbus, OH
$137,318
$66.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeavercreek, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$143,338$137,318
Hourly Rate$68.91$66.02
Entry Level (P10)$83,136$69,344
25th Percentile$117,345$121,225
75th Percentile$173,835$170,903
Top Earner (P90)$209,982$218,255
Total Employed8260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beavercreek ($143,338) and Columbus ($137,318) optometrist salaries.BeavercreekColumbusMedian Salary$143,338$137,318Entry Level (P10)$83,136$69,344Top Earner (P90)$209,982$218,255US Median $140,612

Verdict

Beavercreek and Columbus are closely matched on overall optometrist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Beavercreek and Columbus is $6,020 (4.38%). Beavercreek's median is +1.94% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beavercreek spans $126,846,Columbus spans $148,911. Columbus has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Beavercreek
P10 (Entry)$83,136
P25$117,345
Median$143,338
P75$173,835
P90 (Top)$209,982
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$69,344
P25$121,225
Median$137,318
P75$170,903
P90 (Top)$218,255

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Beavercreek ($158,035 effective) pays 9.87% more than Columbus ($143,835 effective).

Beavercreek
Nominal: $143,338
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $158,035
Columbus
Nominal: $137,318
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $143,835

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beavercreek if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,338/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $158,035)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($218,255)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Beavercreek grew 21.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.6% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Beavercreek, OH

+21.5%

$114,551 (2024) → $139,217 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+14.6%

$116,410 (2019) → $133,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Beavercreek or Columbus?

Beavercreek has a higher median optometrist salary at $143,338/year, compared to Columbus at $137,318/year — a difference of $6,020 (4.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beavercreek and Columbus?

Beavercreek optometrists earn $68.91/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $66.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beavercreek to Columbus as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beavercreek and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beavercreek = $158,035, Columbus = $143,835), job availability (8 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Beavercreek vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $83,136 in Beavercreek and $69,344 in Columbus. The Beavercreek area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov