Optometrist Salary in Midland, MI: $131,668 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Midland, MI earns a median $131,668/year (≈ $63.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Midland's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $141,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Midland, Michigan, the 2026 median salary for optometrists is projected to be $131,668, slightly below the national median of $140,612. The local salary range stretches from $76,648 at the 10th percentile to $188,800 at the 90th percentile. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data along with regional price adjustments. With the expansion of optometry’s scope of practice—allowing for glaucoma management, oral medications, and certain laser procedures—the compensation in the field reflects the evolving responsibilities and skills required. This shift in practice dynamics plays a key role in shaping job opportunities and salary expectations for optometrists in Midland.
About the Midland Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,648 | $36.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,151 | $51.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,668 | $63.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,031 | $76.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,800 | $90.77 |
Median Salary Position
6.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Midland
In Midland, MI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,152 (2026 est.). At $131,668, the local median is 6.36% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Midland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Midland Optometrist Pay Compares
Midland median: $131,668/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Midland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $137,728 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.36% less |
Optometrists in Midland, MI earn a median of $131,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.36% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.40% below the Michigan state average of $137,728.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Midland 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.
Midland, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,668 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,919
2025 BLS Actual
$127,883
2026 Current Est.
$131,668
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Midland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,919 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,541 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,393 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,601 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,473 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,883 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,668 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,566 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Midland metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,919 (2019) to $127,883 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,566 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,647 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Midland 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) | $76,648 – $108,151 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,151 – $131,668 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,668 – $160,031 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,031 – $188,800 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Midland
The job market for optometrists in Midland is relatively small, with only six practitioners currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, sitting at 93.2, indicates that expenses are below the national average, potentially allowing for greater purchasing power for local optometrists compared to those in areas with higher CoL. Employment at private optometry practices tends to offer more competitive pay, particularly for those taking on ownership roles or working within the OD/MD model, which may include surgical referral revenue sharing. Factors affecting salary variation in Midland include the level of residency training, with graduates specializing in ocular disease often commanding higher salaries, as well as the employment terms stemming from private equity acquisitions of practices. To maximize earnings in this market, optometrists should consider engaging in continuous education and pursuing residency training to enhance their skillset, thus making themselves more attractive to potential employers and patients alike.
More salary data for Midland, 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 $127,883 for optometristsin the Midland 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 Midland 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