Optometrist Salary in Waterford, MI: $134,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Waterford, MI earns a median $134,405/year (≈ $64.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Waterford's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $144,211 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waterford, Michigan, the projected median annual salary for optometrists is $134,405 for 2026, reflecting the local job market dynamics influenced by varying practice structures. Those who own their practice or work in a private setting tend to lean towards the higher end of the salary spectrum, with figures spanning from $77,955 at the 10th percentile to $198,727 at the 90th percentile. Salaries here are shaped not just by individual qualifications, but also by the structural choices of practice ownership versus employment with retail chains or medical facilities. Furthermore, the figures provided are estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlighting the competitive nature of optometrist pay in Waterford compared to the national average of $140,612.
About the Waterford Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,955 | $37.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,756 | $52.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,405 | $64.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,948 | $78.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,727 | $95.55 |
Median Salary Position
4.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterford
In Waterford, MI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,772 (2026 est.). At $134,405, the local median is 4.41% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterford Optometrist Pay Compares
Waterford median: $134,405/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $137,710 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.41% less |
Optometrists in Waterford, MI earn a median of $134,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.41% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $137,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterford 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.
Waterford, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,405 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,211 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,162
2025 BLS Actual
$130,541
2026 Current Est.
$134,405
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Waterford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,839 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,813 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,046 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,039 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,541 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,383 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterford metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,162 (2019) to $130,541 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,383 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,221 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterford 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) | $77,955 – $108,756 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,756 – $134,405 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,405 – $162,948 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,948 – $198,727 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Waterford
The local job market supports 16 optometrists, which offers insight into the opportunities and earning potential in Waterford. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, practitioners may find their take-home pay has a reasonable purchasing power, which is crucial in assessing the overall compensation landscape. Retail optical chains such as LensCrafters and Pearle Vision typically offer competitive salaries, while private practices, especially those adopting an OD/MD model, might pay more due to shared revenue from surgical referrals. Variations in pay are driven by factors like practice ownership, residency training impact, and employment terms dictated by private equity acquisitions of formerly independent practices. For those aiming to maximize their optometrist salary in Waterford, aligning with growing practices, advancing through specialization, or acquiring business management skills can play a significant role in career progression.
More salary data for Waterford, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Waterford?
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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 $130,541 for optometristsin the Waterford 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 Waterford 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