Optometrist Salary in Flint, MI: $137,997 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Flint, MI earns a median $137,997/year (≈ $66.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Flint's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.0), that paycheck buys what $148,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual compensation for an optometrist in Flint, Michigan, is projected to be $137,997. This figure reflects a salary range from $99,634 at the 10th percentile to $231,753 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating significant earning potential within the profession. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these numbers indicate a market where optometrists can benefit from the OD/MD surgical co-management model, which enhances revenue streams and therefore overall compensation. With optometry's defined scope of practice expanding and increased collaboration with ophthalmology, Flint's job market supports a promising financial outlook for optometrists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,634 | $47.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,010 | $61.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,997 | $66.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,365 | $79.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,753 | $111.41 |
Median Salary Position
1.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flint
In Flint, MI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,119 (2026 est.). At $137,997, the local median is 1.86% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Flint: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Flint Optometrist Pay Compares
Flint median: $137,997/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flint Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $137,722 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.86% less |
Optometrists in Flint, MI earn a median of $137,997 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.86% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.20% above the Michigan state average of $137,722.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flint has a cost of living 6.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flint, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.034 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $137,997 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.49% 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
$108,230
2025 BLS Actual
$134,030
2026 Current Est.
$137,997
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Flint (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,997 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,082 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flint metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 23.8% from $108,230 (2019) to $134,030 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,082 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,852 (31.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flint 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) | $99,634 – $128,010 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,010 – $137,997 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,997 – $164,365 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,365 – $231,753 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Flint
Flint's job market currently employs 70 optometrists, indicating a stable demand for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 93.034, living expenses here are lower than the national average, which positively affects the purchasing power of optometrists in the area. Among local employers, private optometry practices that utilize the OD/MD model tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains such as LensCrafters and Walmart Vision. Factors that influence the significant salary spread include ownership stakes in practices, specialized training in ocular disease, and the specific employment agreements within private equity-owned practices. Optometrists seeking to maximize their pay in Flint should consider pursuing residency training, exploring practice ownership options, and actively engaging in surgical co-management arrangements with ophthalmologists to capitalize on not only salary but also additional revenue opportunities.
More salary data for Flint, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Flint, MI in 2026?
Is Flint, MI a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Flint?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Flint?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Flint?
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 $134,030 for optometristsin the Flint 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, 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