Optometrist Salary in Athens, OH: $127,411 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Athens, OH earns a median $127,411/year (≈ $61.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Athens's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $140,475 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Athens, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $127,411, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612. This figure highlights the local job market dynamics; salaries in Athens range from $73,899 for entry-level positions to $177,409 for top earners, reflecting diverse career pathways within the field. The choice between practice ownership, employed associate roles, or retail chain employment plays a significant role in determining salary levels, as ownership can lead to greater financial rewards compared to working for retail chains, which often offer more steady hours and less risk but at lower compensation. Additionally, these salary figures are adjusted according to local economic conditions, indicating a need to assess the Athens market carefully when considering a career in optometry.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,899 | $35.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,675 | $49.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,411 | $61.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,964 | $72.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,409 | $85.29 |
Median Salary Position
9.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,510 (2026 est.). At $127,411, the local median is 9.39% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be above the median
How Athens Optometrist Pay Compares
Athens median: $127,411/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,296 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.39% less |
Optometrists in Athens, OH earn a median of $127,411 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.39% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.20% below the Ohio state average of $137,296.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,411 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,475 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,430
2025 BLS Actual
$123,748
2026 Current Est.
$127,411
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,967 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,799 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,403 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,748 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,411 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,182 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $104,430 (2019) to $123,748 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,182 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,752 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $73,899 – $103,675 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,675 – $127,411 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,411 – $149,964 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,964 – $177,409 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Athens
The optometrist job market in Athens employs just five professionals, illustrating a relatively concentrated landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, the overall affordability of the city allows for improved purchasing power despite the lower salary range compared to national averages. Among local employers, private optometry practices tend to pay more than retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, especially for those with specialized residency training. Factors contributing to the salary disparities include the financial equity of practice ownership, the model of partnership with ophthalmologists, and the training background of the optometrists. To maximize earnings, individuals may consider further specialization or seeking positions in practices that have recently undergone acquisitions by private equity firms, as these might offer competitive terms initially to retain talent. The evolving landscape of optometry in Athens signals a need for prospective optometrists to align their career and educational pursuits with market demands.
More salary data for Athens, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Athens?
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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 $123,748 for optometristsin the Athens 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 Athens 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