Optometrist Salary

Cleveland vs North Ridgeville: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$139,902
$67.26/hr
North Ridgeville, OH
$135,068
$64.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHNorth Ridgeville, OH
Median Salary$139,902$135,068
Hourly Rate$67.26$64.94
Entry Level (P10)$67,954$78,339
25th Percentile$95,619$107,402
75th Percentile$162,728$160,728
Top Earner (P90)$174,229$188,036
Total Employed2508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($139,902) and North Ridgeville ($135,068) optometrist salaries.ClevelandNorth RidgevilleMedian Salary$139,902$135,068Entry Level (P10)$67,954$78,339Top Earner (P90)$174,229$188,036US Median $140,612

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Ridgeville.

The salary gap between Cleveland and North Ridgeville is $4,834 (3.58%). Cleveland's median is -0.50% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $106,275,North Ridgeville spans $109,697. North Ridgeville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$67,954
P25$95,619
Median$139,902
P75$162,728
P90 (Top)$174,229
North Ridgeville
P10 (Entry)$78,339
P25$107,402
Median$135,068
P75$160,728
P90 (Top)$188,036

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($148,954 effective) pays 0.02% more than North Ridgeville ($148,917 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $139,902
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $148,954
North Ridgeville
Nominal: $135,068
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $148,917

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,902/year)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,954)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose North Ridgeville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($188,036)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Cleveland grew 21.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.1% growth in North Ridgeville over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+21.3%

$112,060 (2019) → $135,880 (2025)

North Ridgeville, OH

+13.1%

$115,978 (2024) → $131,185 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Cleveland or North Ridgeville?

Cleveland has a higher median optometrist salary at $139,902/year, compared to North Ridgeville at $135,068/year — a difference of $4,834 (3.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and North Ridgeville?

Cleveland optometrists earn $67.26/hr while North Ridgeville hygienists earn $64.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to North Ridgeville as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and North Ridgeville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $148,954, North Ridgeville = $148,917), job availability (250 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Cleveland vs North Ridgeville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $67,954 in Cleveland and $78,339 in North Ridgeville. The North Ridgeville 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