Optometrist Salary in Bay City, MI: $136,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bay City, MI earns a median $136,724/year (≈ $65.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bay City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $146,700 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Bay City, MI, can anticipate a median annual salary of $136,724 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $140,612 for the same year. This compensation reflects a salary range that spans from $79,300 at the 10th percentile to $192,823 at the 90th percentile, indicating the potential for diversity in earning capacity based on experience, specialization, and practice setting. Notably, this projected salary also considers local cost adjustments derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics state-level data, highlighting the financial nuances faced by professionals in this region. Factors such as co-management revenue from surgical procedures—which allow optometrists to work alongside ophthalmologists—can significantly enhance overall compensation, thus shaping the landscape of optometrist pay in Bay City.
About the Bay City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,277 | $53.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,724 | $65.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,262 | $77.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,823 | $92.71 |
Median Salary Position
2.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bay City
In Bay City, MI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,523 (2026 est.). At $136,724, the local median is 2.77% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bay City: You'd be above the median
How Bay City Optometrist Pay Compares
Bay City median: $136,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bay City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $137,687 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.77% less |
Optometrists in Bay City, MI earn a median of $136,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.77% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $137,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bay City has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bay City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,724 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,700 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$112,063
2025 BLS Actual
$132,793
2026 Current Est.
$136,724
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,063 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,862 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,117 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,213 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,793 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bay City metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,063 (2019) to $132,793 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,708 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bay City 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) | $79,300 – $110,277 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,277 – $136,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,724 – $161,262 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,262 – $192,823 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bay City
The local job market for optometrists in Bay City shows a modest employment landscape with only eight optometrists currently working in the area. A cost-of-living index of 93.2 suggests that while salaries are competitive, living expenses are relatively lower than the national average, which helps maintain a favorable purchasing power for optometrists. Among potential employers, private optometry practices generally offer the most lucrative opportunities, particularly for those with ownership stakes or who participate in the OD/MD model. Retail optical chains and insurance providers tend to offer lower compensation. There is a notable spread in pay, influenced by factors such as the level of training—residency-trained optometrists often command higher salaries—and the specific employment models, including the transition of practices to private equity ownership. For those in Bay City looking to maximize their income, pursuing advanced training or considering practice ownership may be key strategies for increasing earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Bay City, MI in 2026?
Is Bay City, MI a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Bay City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Bay City?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Bay City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 $132,793 for optometristsin the Bay City 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
Salary data for Bay City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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