Optometrist Salary in Bowling Green, OH: $136,443 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bowling Green, OH earns a median $136,443/year (≈ $65.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $150,433 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Bowling Green, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $136,443, placing them slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $79,137 at the 10th percentile to $192,681 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse landscape of earnings within the field. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, tailored for local economic conditions, which account for factors such as the OD/MD model of surgical co-management. This model, alongside patient referrals and various revenue streams from both private practices and retail chains, contributes significantly to local optometrists' comp packages. Furthermore, Bowling Green’s relatively low cost of living index of 90.7 makes its optometrist pay competitive, considering both local and national standards.
About the Bowling Green Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,137 | $38.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,210 | $52.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,443 | $65.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,086 | $77.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,681 | $92.63 |
Median Salary Position
2.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,544 (2026 est.). At $136,443, the local median is 2.96% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be above the median
How Bowling Green Optometrist Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $136,443/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,266 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.96% less |
Optometrists in Bowling Green, OH earn a median of $136,443 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the Ohio state average of $137,266.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green 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.
Bowling Green, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,443 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,433 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,832
2025 BLS Actual
$132,520
2026 Current Est.
$136,443
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,832 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,549 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,614 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,866 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,159 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,443 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,481 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,832 (2019) to $132,520 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,481 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,649 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $79,137 – $110,210 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,210 – $136,443 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,443 – $161,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,086 – $192,681 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bowling Green
The job market for optometrists in Bowling Green remains robust, with seven professionals currently employed in the area. The lower cost of living translates to a favorable take-home purchasing power when compared to many urban settings. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly those that implement the OD/MD model to share referral revenue. Factors influencing the salary variance include practice ownership equity, implementation of advanced scopes of practice such as glaucoma management, and recent trends toward private equity acquisitions of former private practices. For those in the region aiming to maximize optometrist pay in Bowling Green, pursuing residency training can provide a substantial edge, particularly in ocular disease care. Embracing this advanced training and aligning with financially sound practice models can help achieve optimal compensation in this evolving market.
More salary data for Bowling Green, OH:
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 $132,520 for optometristsin the Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green 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