Optometrist Salary in Mount Pleasant, MI: $128,477 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Mount Pleasant, MI earns a median $128,477/year (≈ $61.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Mount Pleasant's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $137,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the median annual optometrist salary in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, is projected at $128,477, reflecting a competitive occupational outlook compared to the national median of $140,612. Optometrists in the region can expect a salary range that spans from $79,084 at the 10th percentile to $179,859 at the 90th percentile. These figures represent local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. The financial viability of practicing in Mount Pleasant can be significantly enhanced, especially for those participating in OD/MD model surgical co-management, which allows for additional revenue through surgical referrals alongside traditional optometric services. This factor plays an essential role in shaping the local healthcare job market and influences compensation trends in the area.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,084 | $38.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,281 | $52.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,477 | $61.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,356 | $70.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,859 | $86.47 |
Median Salary Position
8.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Pleasant
In Mount Pleasant, MI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,775 (2026 est.). At $128,477, the local median is 8.63% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Pleasant: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Pleasant Optometrist Pay Compares
Mount Pleasant median: $128,477/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Pleasant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $137,703 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.63% less |
Optometrists in Mount Pleasant, MI earn a median of $128,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.63% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 6.70% below the Michigan state average of $137,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Pleasant 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.
Mount Pleasant, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $128,477 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,851 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,303
2025 BLS Actual
$124,783
2026 Current Est.
$128,477
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,303 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,861 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,572 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,751 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,783 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,477 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Pleasant metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $105,303 (2019) to $124,783 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,976 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant 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) | $79,084 – $108,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,281 – $128,477 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,477 – $147,356 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,356 – $179,859 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Mount Pleasant
The job market for optometrists in Mount Pleasant currently employs six professionals, a small number that suggests a niche but potentially stable demand. With a cost-of-living index at 93.2—lower than the national average—practitioners may find their take-home pay stretching further compared to other regions. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology practices tend to offer the most competitive pay, especially those utilizing the OD/MD model. Variability in salaries is driven by factors such as ownership stakes in practices, the ability to share revenue from referrals, and the level of training completed, including residency options. Strategies for maximizing pay often involve seeking opportunities in collaborative practices with ophthalmologists or pursuing advanced training in areas like ocular disease management, which can provide additional leverage in negotiations for higher compensation within the Mount Pleasant market.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Mount Pleasant?
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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 $124,783 for optometristsin the Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant 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