Optometrist Salary in Ann Arbor, MI: $137,730 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Ann Arbor, MI earns a median $137,730/year (≈ $66.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Ann Arbor's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $136,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Ann Arbor, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $137,730, which is slightly below the national average of $140,612. The salary spectrum ranges from $88,638 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $235,470 for those at the top of the pay scale (P90). This compensation data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the diverse structural choices within the local job market. Optometrists may choose between practicing as independent owners, working as associates in private practices, or joining retail optical chains, each path leading to different financial outcomes and career satisfaction levels. The choices made by optometrists in Ann Arbor significantly influence their earning potential, aligning with current industry trends towards consolidation and corporate ownership.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,638 | $42.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,755 | $60.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,730 | $66.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,037 | $78.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $235,470 | $113.20 |
Median Salary Position
2.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ann Arbor
In Ann Arbor, MI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,832 (2026 est.). At $137,730, the local median is 2.05% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ann Arbor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ann Arbor Optometrist Pay Compares
Ann Arbor median: $137,730/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ann Arbor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.05% less |
Optometrists in Ann Arbor, MI earn a median of $137,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.05% lower than the national median of $140,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ann Arbor has a cost of living 0.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ann Arbor, MI has a cost-of-living index of 100.88 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,730 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,529 — a 0.87% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,030
2025 BLS Actual
$133,770
2026 Current Est.
$137,730
2019–2027 Growth
+7.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Ann Arbor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,730 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,806 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ann Arbor metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 1.3% from $132,030 (2019) to $133,770 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,806 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,776 (7.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ann Arbor 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $88,638 – $125,755 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,755 – $137,730 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,730 – $163,037 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,037 – $235,470 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Ann Arbor
The employment market in Ann Arbor includes approximately 50 optometrists, indicating a stable demand for eye care professionals in the region. The cost of living index stands at 100.88, which is slightly above the national average, impacting the purchasing power of those salaries. Among local employers, private optometry practices tend to offer the most competitive compensation, particularly those that engage in the OD/MD model, where optometrists may collaborate with ophthalmologists and benefit from referral revenue. Factors contributing to the wide salary range include the level of practice ownership, experience, specialty areas such as ocular disease, and the terms of employment after acquisitions by private equity firms. To maximize their earnings, optometrists in Ann Arbor should consider enhancing their qualifications through residency training, which can command a higher pay grade, while also staying informed about the evolving scope of practice that encompasses more advanced treatments and procedures.
More salary data for Ann Arbor, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $133,770 for optometristsin the Ann Arbor metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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