Optometrist Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $138,399 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $138,399/year (≈ $66.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $144,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Grand Rapids, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $138,399, which is slightly below the national average of $140,612. This projected figure reflects a range from $100,757 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $244,221 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating significant variation based on the practice structure. In this market, optometrists frequently choose between owning a practice, working as employed associates, or joining retail chain operations. These choices significantly influence compensation levels, with practice ownership often leading to higher earnings due to equity in business and potential surgical revenue sharing in OD/MD models. Given that this salary data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS projections, it highlights the expected trends and challenges in the local job market for optometrists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,757 | $48.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,278 | $61.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,399 | $66.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,924 | $82.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $244,221 | $117.42 |
Median Salary Position
1.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $143,464 (2026 est.). At $138,399, the local median is 1.57% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Rapids Optometrist Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $138,399/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $137,710 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.57% less |
Optometrists in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $138,399 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.57% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.50% above the Michigan state average of $137,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $138,399 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,851 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,160
2025 BLS Actual
$134,420
2026 Current Est.
$138,399
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,399 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,495 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 7.4% from $125,160 (2019) to $134,420 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,495 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,335 (13.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $100,757 – $128,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,278 – $138,399 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,399 – $170,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,924 – $244,221 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Grand Rapids
The optometrist job market in Grand Rapids consists of approximately 170 professionals, but the local cost of living must be taken into account, with an index of 95.546 indicating a below-average expense environment. This affordable living situation enhances the take-home purchasing power for optometrists, allowing salaries to stretch further compared to higher-cost areas. Within this job market, private optometry practices typically offer the highest compensation compared to retail optical chains like Walmart Vision and Pearle Vision, which tend to pay less. The salary spread in Grand Rapids primarily results from various factors, such as practice ownership equity, residency training (especially in ocular disease), and differing employment arrangements following acquisitions of private practices by private equity firms. To maximize earning potential, aspiring optometrists should consider seeking residency training, aligning with higher-paying employers, and exploring ownership opportunities, as these strategies can significantly boost their overall compensation.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, 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 $134,420 for optometristsin the Grand Rapids 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