Optometrist Salary

Cincinnati vs Strongsville: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$161,637
$77.71/hr
Strongsville, OH
$133,715
$64.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHStrongsville, OH
Median Salary$161,637$133,715
Hourly Rate$77.71$64.29
Entry Level (P10)$68,736$77,555
25th Percentile$105,153$109,845
75th Percentile$174,816$162,531
Top Earner (P90)$256,895$196,487
Total Employed3008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($161,637) and Strongsville ($133,715) optometrist salaries.CincinnatiStrongsvilleMedian Salary$161,637$133,715Entry Level (P10)$68,736$77,555Top Earner (P90)$256,895$196,487US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Strongsville is $27,922 (20.88%). 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,Strongsville spans $118,932. 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
Strongsville
P10 (Entry)$77,555
P25$109,845
Median$133,715
P75$162,531
P90 (Top)$196,487

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($169,484 effective) pays 14.96% more than Strongsville ($147,426 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $161,637
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $169,484
Strongsville
Nominal: $133,715
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $147,426

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 Strongsville 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 Strongsville over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$119,620 (2019) → $156,990 (2025)

Strongsville, OH

+13.1%

$114,816 (2024) → $129,871 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Cincinnati or Strongsville?

Cincinnati has a higher median optometrist salary at $161,637/year, compared to Strongsville at $133,715/year — a difference of $27,922 (20.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Strongsville?

Cincinnati optometrists earn $77.71/hr while Strongsville hygienists earn $64.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Strongsville as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Strongsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $169,484, Strongsville = $147,426), job availability (300 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Cincinnati vs Strongsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $68,736 in Cincinnati and $77,555 in Strongsville. The Strongsville 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