Optometrist Salary in Canton, OH: $130,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Canton, OH earns a median $130,955/year (≈ $62.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Canton's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $146,472 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Canton, Ohio, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $130,955, which represents a competitive figure compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range showcases significant variability, with earnings spanning from $65,246 at the 10th percentile to $190,394 at the 90th percentile. These insights are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected into 2026 and reflect the diverse opportunities within the market. Factors such as the OD/MD model that allows for surgical co-management can enhance earning potential, attracting optometrists to Canton seeking opportunities to integrate more specialized care into their practice.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,246 | $31.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,571 | $40.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,955 | $62.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,298 | $77.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,394 | $91.54 |
Median Salary Position
6.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Canton
In Canton, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,148 (2026 est.). At $130,955, the local median is 6.87% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Canton: You'd be above the median
How Canton Optometrist Pay Compares
Canton median: $130,955/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Canton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,269 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.87% less |
Optometrists in Canton, OH earn a median of $130,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.87% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.60% below the Ohio state average of $137,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Canton has a cost of living 10.59% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Canton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.406 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,955 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,472 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,970
2025 BLS Actual
$127,190
2026 Current Est.
$130,955
2019–2027 Growth
+4.5%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Canton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,831 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Canton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -1.4% from $128,970 (2019) to $127,190 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,831 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,861 (4.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Canton 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) | $65,246 – $84,571 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,571 – $130,955 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,955 – $160,298 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,298 – $190,394 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Canton
The local job market for optometrists in Canton, with around 40 professionals currently employed, remains relatively stable, especially given the cost of living index of 89.406, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can significantly impact take-home purchasing power, enabling optometrists to afford a good quality of life despite salaries slightly under the national average. Among employers, private practices and ophthalmology practices employing the OD/MD model typically offer the highest compensation, as they can share in surgical referral revenue. The disparity in pay often results from various factors, including practice ownership equity, residency training in ocular disease, and the evolving landscape of employment terms after private practices transition to private equity ownership. To maximize pay in Canton, optometrists should consider pursuing residency training, exploring ownership opportunities, and aligning themselves with practices that utilize the OD/MD model for enhanced revenue generation.
More salary data for Canton, 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 $127,190 for optometristsin the Canton 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
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