Optometrist Salary

Cincinnati vs Huber Heights: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Huber Heights, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$161,637
$77.71/hr
Huber Heights, OH
$135,175
$64.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHHuber Heights, OH
Median Salary$161,637$135,175
Hourly Rate$77.71$64.99
Entry Level (P10)$68,736$78,402
25th Percentile$105,153$107,619
75th Percentile$174,816$158,068
Top Earner (P90)$256,895$188,395
Total Employed30011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($161,637) and Huber Heights ($135,175) optometrist salaries.CincinnatiHuber HeightsMedian Salary$161,637$135,175Entry Level (P10)$68,736$78,402Top Earner (P90)$256,895$188,395US Median $140,612

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Huber Heights.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Huber Heights is $26,462 (19.58%). Cincinnati's median is +14.95% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $188,159,Huber Heights spans $109,993. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$68,736
P25$105,153
Median$161,637
P75$174,816
P90 (Top)$256,895
Huber Heights
P10 (Entry)$78,402
P25$107,619
Median$135,175
P75$158,068
P90 (Top)$188,395

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($169,484 effective) pays 13.72% more than Huber Heights ($149,035 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $161,637
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $169,484
Huber Heights
Nominal: $135,175
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $149,035

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($161,637/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($256,895)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $169,484)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Huber Heights if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Cincinnati grew 31.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.1% growth in Huber Heights over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$119,620 (2019) → $156,990 (2025)

Huber Heights, OH

+13.1%

$116,070 (2024) → $131,289 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Cincinnati or Huber Heights?

Cincinnati has a higher median optometrist salary at $161,637/year, compared to Huber Heights at $135,175/year — a difference of $26,462 (19.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Huber Heights?

Cincinnati optometrists earn $77.71/hr while Huber Heights hygienists earn $64.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Huber Heights as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Huber Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $169,484, Huber Heights = $149,035), job availability (300 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Cincinnati vs Huber Heights?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $68,736 in Cincinnati and $78,402 in Huber Heights. The Huber Heights 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