Optometrist Salary in Michigan: $140,505 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Michigan's 52 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $140,505/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Michigan sits at BEA RPP 93.2 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $150,756 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Detroit ($142,690), Dearborn ($141,954), Warren ($141,451).
In 2026, optometrists in Michigan can expect an average median salary of $140,505, slightly below the national median of $140,612, reflecting a difference of -0.1%. The highest-paid optometrists are found in Detroit, earning approximately $146,914, while those in Traverse City receive around $121,524. This salary gap of $25,390 is influenced by factors such as population density, demand for eye care services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas versus more rural locations. Michigan has specific licensing requirements for optometrists, including passing national and state examinations. Additionally, the scope of practice allows optometrists to perform various procedures, contributing to patient demand. The projected job market for optometrists is stable, with an annual growth rate of 2.96%, indicating an ongoing need for eye care professionals across the state. Key cities such as Dearborn ($146,156), Warren ($145,638), Clinton Township ($142,406), and Sterling Heights ($140,615) are also strong earners within the state. These figures highlight the geographical salary variance and underscore the importance of location in the optometry field in Michigan. With 1,609 optometrists currently employed, the outlook remains favorable for aspiring professionals entering this healthcare pathway.
Michigan Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Michigan: $74,945 (lowest entry-level) to $244,221 (highest top earner)
Michigan vs National Average
Michigan optometrists earn 0.08% less than the national median ($-107/year difference).
Michigan Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Michigan range from $99,575 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $214,154 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $140,505. The Michigan median is $107 below the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $67.55/hr. Approximately 1,609 optometrists are employed across 52 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$123,453
2025 BLS Actual
$136,466
2026 Current Est.
$140,505
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Michigan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,173 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,823 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,407 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,869 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,466 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,505 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,664 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Michigan metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 10.5% from $123,453 (2019) to $136,466 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,664 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,211 (17.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Michigan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Michigan
Lowest Paying Cities in Michigan
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Traverse City | $121,524 |
| Romulus | $127,369 |
| Ypsilanti | $128,104 |
| Mount Pleasant | $128,477 |
| Ferndale | $130,704 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Michigan
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Michigan cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dearborn | $146,156 | 93.2 | $156,820 |
| Warren | $145,638 | 93.2 | $156,264 |
| Clinton Township | $142,406 | 93.2 | $152,796 |
| Sterling Heights | $140,615 | 93.2 | $150,874 |
| Wyoming | $140,109 | 93.2 | $150,332 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Michigan
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $99,575 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $140,505 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $214,154 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Michigan metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 52 Cities in Michigan
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | $146,914 |
| 2 | Dearborn | $146,156 |
| 3 | Warren | $145,638 |
| 4 | Clinton Township | $142,406 |
| 5 | Sterling Heights | $140,615 |
| 6 | Wyoming | $140,109 |
| 7 | Battle Creek | $139,412 |
| 8 | West Bloomfield | $139,194 |
| 9 | Shelby Township | $138,878 |
| 10 | Troy | $138,583 |
| 11 | Grand Rapids | $138,399 |
| 12 | Westland | $138,223 |
| 13 | Flint | $137,997 |
| 14 | Farmington Hills | $137,928 |
| 15 | Ann Arbor | $137,730 |
| 16 | Dearborn Heights | $137,624 |
| 17 | Southfield | $137,361 |
| 18 | Macomb Township | $137,067 |
| 19 | St. Clair Shores | $136,914 |
| 20 | Rochester Hills | $136,838 |
| 21 | Bay City | $136,724 |
| 22 | Taylor | $136,456 |
| 23 | Port Huron | $136,072 |
| 24 | Royal Oak | $136,041 |
| 25 | Kentwood | $135,946 |
| 26 | Lincoln Park | $135,943 |
| 27 | Jackson | $135,826 |
| 28 | Saginaw | $135,730 |
| 29 | Kalamazoo | $135,670 |
| 30 | Livonia | $135,670 |
| 31 | Canton | $134,656 |
| 32 | Novi | $134,612 |
| 33 | Lansing | $134,579 |
| 34 | Auburn Hills | $134,479 |
| 35 | Waterford | $134,405 |
| 36 | Muskegon | $134,234 |
| 37 | Roseville | $134,159 |
| 38 | Garden City | $133,893 |
| 39 | East Lansing | $133,443 |
| 40 | Allen Park | $133,090 |
| 41 | Pontiac | $132,998 |
| 42 | Marquette | $132,651 |
| 43 | Norton Shores | $132,620 |
| 44 | Inkster | $132,444 |
| 45 | Portage | $132,279 |
| 46 | Midland | $131,668 |
| 47 | Holland | $131,615 |
| 48 | Ferndale | $130,704 |
| 49 | Mount Pleasant | $128,477 |
| 50 | Ypsilanti | $128,104 |
| 51 | Romulus | $127,369 |
| 52 | Traverse City | $121,524 |
More Michigan Salary Data
Compare Cities in Michigan
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Michigan in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Michigan?
How does Michigan optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Michigan?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Michigan. State averages are employment-weighted across 52 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov