Optometrist Salary

Flint vs Romulus: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Flint, MI
$137,997
$66.35/hr
Romulus, MI
$127,369
$61.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlint, MIRomulus, MI
Median Salary$137,997$127,369
Hourly Rate$66.35$61.23
Entry Level (P10)$99,634$76,685
25th Percentile$128,010$105,998
75th Percentile$164,365$149,428
Top Earner (P90)$231,753$176,565
Total Employed705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Flint ($137,997) and Romulus ($127,369) optometrist salaries.FlintRomulusMedian Salary$137,997$127,369Entry Level (P10)$99,634$76,685Top Earner (P90)$231,753$176,565US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Flint and Romulus is $10,628 (8.34%). 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,Romulus spans $99,880. 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
Romulus
P10 (Entry)$76,685
P25$105,998
Median$127,369
P75$149,428
P90 (Top)$176,565

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Flint ($148,330 effective) pays 8.54% more than Romulus ($136,662 effective).

Flint
Nominal: $137,997
CoL Index: 93.034
Adjusted: $148,330
Romulus
Nominal: $127,369
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $136,662

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 Romulus 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 Romulus over the same period.

Flint, MI

+23.8%

$108,230 (2019) → $134,030 (2025)

Romulus, MI

+10.4%

$112,045 (2024) → $123,707 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Flint or Romulus?

Flint has a higher median optometrist salary at $137,997/year, compared to Romulus at $127,369/year — a difference of $10,628 (8.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Flint and Romulus?

Flint optometrists earn $66.35/hr while Romulus hygienists earn $61.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Flint to Romulus as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Flint and Romulus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Flint = $148,330, Romulus = $136,662), job availability (70 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Flint vs Romulus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $99,634 in Flint and $76,685 in Romulus. 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