Optometrist Salary

Flint vs Port Huron: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Flint, MI and Port Huron, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Flint, MI
$137,997
$66.35/hr
Port Huron, MI
$136,072
$65.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlint, MIPort Huron, MI
Median Salary$137,997$136,072
Hourly Rate$66.35$65.42
Entry Level (P10)$99,634$78,922
25th Percentile$128,010$108,943
75th Percentile$164,365$162,848
Top Earner (P90)$231,753$190,278
Total Employed706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Flint ($137,997) and Port Huron ($136,072) optometrist salaries.FlintPort HuronMedian Salary$137,997$136,072Entry Level (P10)$99,634$78,922Top Earner (P90)$231,753$190,278US Median $140,612

Verdict

Flint, MI offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Port Huron.

The salary gap between Flint and Port Huron is $1,925 (1.41%). Flint's median is -1.86% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Flint spans $132,119,Port Huron spans $111,356. Flint has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Flint
P10 (Entry)$99,634
P25$128,010
Median$137,997
P75$164,365
P90 (Top)$231,753
Port Huron
P10 (Entry)$78,922
P25$108,943
Median$136,072
P75$162,848
P90 (Top)$190,278

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Flint ($148,330 effective) pays 1.60% more than Port Huron ($146,000 effective).

Flint
Nominal: $137,997
CoL Index: 93.034
Adjusted: $148,330
Port Huron
Nominal: $136,072
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $146,000

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Flint if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,997/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($231,753)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,330)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Port Huron if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Flint grew 23.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.4% growth in Port Huron over the same period.

Flint, MI

+23.8%

$108,230 (2019) → $134,030 (2025)

Port Huron, MI

+10.4%

$119,702 (2024) → $132,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Flint or Port Huron?

Flint has a higher median optometrist salary at $137,997/year, compared to Port Huron at $136,072/year — a difference of $1,925 (1.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Flint and Port Huron?

Flint optometrists earn $66.35/hr while Port Huron hygienists earn $65.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Flint to Port Huron as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Flint and Port Huron. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Flint = $148,330, Port Huron = $146,000), job availability (70 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Flint vs Port Huron?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $99,634 in Flint and $78,922 in Port Huron. The Flint 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