Optometrist Salary in Ohio: $141,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $141,193/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $155,670 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cincinnati ($156,990), Beavercreek ($139,217), Dayton ($139,000).
In 2026, the average median salary for optometrists in Ohio is projected to be $141,193, which is slightly above the national median of $140,612, reflecting a difference of 0.4%. The highest-paying city in the state is Cincinnati, where optometrists can expect to earn around $161,637, while the lowest is Solon with a salary of $126,203. This salary gap of $35,434 can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Ohio's optometrists must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws that govern how they operate. The demand for optometrists is growing at an annual rate of 2.96%, signaling a strengthening job market for this profession. With 1,524 optometrists employed statewide, cities like Beavercreek ($143,338), Dayton ($143,114), Kettering ($141,185), and Cleveland ($139,902) also offer competitive salaries that contribute to a favorable employment landscape. Overall, the growth rate, combined with the wage variations across different cities, emphasizes the evolving opportunities for optometrists in Ohio.
Ohio Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Ohio: $57,462 (lowest entry-level) to $256,895 (highest top earner)
Ohio vs National Average
Ohio optometrists earn 0.41% more than the national median (+$581/year difference).
Ohio Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Ohio range from $70,883 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $205,565 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $141,193. The Ohio median is $581 above the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $67.88/hr. Approximately 1,524 optometrists are employed across 67 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$116,582
2025 BLS Actual
$137,134
2026 Current Est.
$141,193
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Ohio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,582 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,015 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,614 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,633 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,619 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,134 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 17.6% from $116,582 (2019) to $137,134 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,790 (24.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Ohio
Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Solon | $126,203 |
| Centerville | $126,224 |
| Avon Lake | $126,502 |
| Wadsworth | $126,595 |
| Tiffin | $126,698 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Ohio
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $161,637 | 95.37 | $169,484 |
| Beavercreek | $143,338 | 90.7 | $158,035 |
| Kettering | $141,185 | 90.7 | $155,662 |
| Dayton | $143,114 | 92.694 | $154,394 |
| Lorain | $138,799 | 90.7 | $153,031 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Ohio
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $70,883 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $141,193 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $205,565 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 67 Cities in Ohio
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati | $161,637 |
| 2 | Beavercreek | $143,338 |
| 3 | Dayton | $143,114 |
| 4 | Kettering | $141,185 |
| 5 | Cleveland | $139,902 |
| 6 | Lorain | $138,799 |
| 7 | Springfield | $138,539 |
| 8 | Parma | $138,418 |
| 9 | Cuyahoga Falls | $137,853 |
| 10 | Hamilton | $137,374 |
| 11 | Columbus | $137,318 |
| 12 | Lakewood | $136,624 |
| 13 | Sandusky | $136,464 |
| 14 | Bowling Green | $136,443 |
| 15 | Lancaster | $136,400 |
| 16 | Zanesville | $136,390 |
| 17 | Westlake | $136,155 |
| 18 | Middletown | $136,102 |
| 19 | Grove City | $135,707 |
| 20 | Delaware | $135,601 |
| 21 | Gahanna | $135,580 |
| 22 | Westerville | $135,494 |
| 23 | Huber Heights | $135,175 |
| 24 | Akron | $135,094 |
| 25 | Lima | $135,079 |
| 26 | North Ridgeville | $135,068 |
| 27 | North Royalton | $134,877 |
| 28 | Toledo | $134,507 |
| 29 | North Olmsted | $134,397 |
| 30 | Reynoldsburg | $134,163 |
| 31 | Youngstown | $133,884 |
| 32 | Strongsville | $133,715 |
| 33 | Mansfield | $133,576 |
| 34 | Warren | $133,524 |
| 35 | Brunswick | $132,884 |
| 36 | Wooster | $132,884 |
| 37 | Elyria | $132,676 |
| 38 | Shaker Heights | $132,407 |
| 39 | Medina | $132,319 |
| 40 | Dublin | $131,893 |
| 41 | Fairfield | $131,882 |
| 42 | Mentor | $131,743 |
| 43 | Mason | $131,168 |
| 44 | Avon | $131,004 |
| 45 | Canton | $130,955 |
| 46 | Marion | $130,806 |
| 47 | Stow | $130,795 |
| 48 | Newark | $130,721 |
| 49 | Findlay | $130,582 |
| 50 | Green | $130,379 |
| 51 | Barberton | $130,379 |
| 52 | Austintown | $130,327 |
| 53 | Cleveland Heights | $130,305 |
| 54 | Upper Arlington | $130,134 |
| 55 | Xenia | $130,134 |
| 56 | Hilliard | $129,975 |
| 57 | Oxford | $129,569 |
| 58 | Chillicothe | $129,290 |
| 59 | Massillon | $129,179 |
| 60 | Perrysburg | $128,815 |
| 61 | Trotwood | $128,774 |
| 62 | Athens | $127,411 |
| 63 | Tiffin | $126,698 |
| 64 | Wadsworth | $126,595 |
| 65 | Avon Lake | $126,502 |
| 66 | Centerville | $126,224 |
| 67 | Solon | $126,203 |
More Ohio Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Compare Cities in Ohio
View all comparisons →Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Ohio in 2026?
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How does Ohio optometrist pay compare to the national average?
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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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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