Optometrist Salary

Flint vs Taylor: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Flint, MI
$137,997
$66.35/hr
Taylor, MI
$136,456
$65.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlint, MITaylor, MI
Median Salary$137,997$136,456
Hourly Rate$66.35$65.61
Entry Level (P10)$99,634$79,144
25th Percentile$128,010$112,878
75th Percentile$164,365$162,696
Top Earner (P90)$231,753$197,197
Total Employed7016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Flint ($137,997) and Taylor ($136,456) optometrist salaries.FlintTaylorMedian Salary$137,997$136,456Entry Level (P10)$99,634$79,144Top Earner (P90)$231,753$197,197US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Flint and Taylor is $1,541 (1.13%). 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,Taylor spans $118,053. 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
Taylor
P10 (Entry)$79,144
P25$112,878
Median$136,456
P75$162,696
P90 (Top)$197,197

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Flint ($148,330 effective) pays 1.31% more than Taylor ($146,412 effective).

Flint
Nominal: $137,997
CoL Index: 93.034
Adjusted: $148,330
Taylor
Nominal: $136,456
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $146,412

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 Taylor 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 Taylor over the same period.

Flint, MI

+23.8%

$108,230 (2019) → $134,030 (2025)

Taylor, MI

+10.4%

$120,040 (2024) → $132,533 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Flint or Taylor?

Flint has a higher median optometrist salary at $137,997/year, compared to Taylor at $136,456/year — a difference of $1,541 (1.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Flint and Taylor?

Flint optometrists earn $66.35/hr while Taylor hygienists earn $65.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Flint to Taylor as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Flint and Taylor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Flint = $148,330, Taylor = $146,412), job availability (70 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $99,634 in Flint and $79,144 in Taylor. 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