Optometrist Salary

Cincinnati vs North Royalton: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$161,637
$77.71/hr
North Royalton, OH
$134,877
$64.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHNorth Royalton, OH
Median Salary$161,637$134,877
Hourly Rate$77.71$64.84
Entry Level (P10)$68,736$78,228
25th Percentile$105,153$112,233
75th Percentile$174,816$157,362
Top Earner (P90)$256,895$187,392
Total Employed3007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($161,637) and North Royalton ($134,877) optometrist salaries.CincinnatiNorth RoyaltonMedian Salary$161,637$134,877Entry Level (P10)$68,736$78,228Top Earner (P90)$256,895$187,392US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and North Royalton is $26,760 (19.84%). 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,North Royalton spans $109,164. 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
North Royalton
P10 (Entry)$78,228
P25$112,233
Median$134,877
P75$157,362
P90 (Top)$187,392

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($169,484 effective) pays 13.97% more than North Royalton ($148,707 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $161,637
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $169,484
North Royalton
Nominal: $134,877
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $148,707

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 North Royalton 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 North Royalton over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$119,620 (2019) → $156,990 (2025)

North Royalton, OH

+13.1%

$115,814 (2024) → $130,999 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Cincinnati or North Royalton?

Cincinnati has a higher median optometrist salary at $161,637/year, compared to North Royalton at $134,877/year — a difference of $26,760 (19.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and North Royalton?

Cincinnati optometrists earn $77.71/hr while North Royalton hygienists earn $64.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to North Royalton as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and North Royalton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $169,484, North Royalton = $148,707), job availability (300 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Cincinnati vs North Royalton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $68,736 in Cincinnati and $78,228 in North Royalton. The North Royalton 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