Optometrist Salary

Cincinnati vs Trotwood: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$161,637
$77.71/hr
Trotwood, OH
$128,774
$61.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHTrotwood, OH
Median Salary$161,637$128,774
Hourly Rate$77.71$61.91
Entry Level (P10)$68,736$80,424
25th Percentile$105,153$109,373
75th Percentile$174,816$153,247
Top Earner (P90)$256,895$181,553
Total Employed3006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($161,637) and Trotwood ($128,774) optometrist salaries.CincinnatiTrotwoodMedian Salary$161,637$128,774Entry Level (P10)$68,736$80,424Top Earner (P90)$256,895$181,553US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Trotwood is $32,863 (25.52%). 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,Trotwood spans $101,129. 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
Trotwood
P10 (Entry)$80,424
P25$109,373
Median$128,774
P75$153,247
P90 (Top)$181,553

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($169,484 effective) pays 19.37% more than Trotwood ($141,978 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $161,637
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $169,484
Trotwood
Nominal: $128,774
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $141,978

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 Trotwood 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 Trotwood over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$119,620 (2019) → $156,990 (2025)

Trotwood, OH

+13.1%

$110,574 (2024) → $125,072 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Cincinnati or Trotwood?

Cincinnati has a higher median optometrist salary at $161,637/year, compared to Trotwood at $128,774/year — a difference of $32,863 (25.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Trotwood?

Cincinnati optometrists earn $77.71/hr while Trotwood hygienists earn $61.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Trotwood as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Trotwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $169,484, Trotwood = $141,978), job availability (300 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $68,736 in Cincinnati and $80,424 in Trotwood. The Trotwood 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