Optometrist Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $161,637 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Cincinnati, OH earns a median $161,637/year (≈ $77.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Cincinnati's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.4), that paycheck buys what $169,484 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.7% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Cincinnati, Ohio, offers attractive compensation for optometrists, with a median annual salary projected at $161,637 for 2026. This figure places it approximately 14.95% above the national median of $140,612. The local salary spectrum ranges significantly from $68,736 at the bottom 10th percentile to $256,895 for those in the top 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse earning potential within the field. A critical factor influencing these figures is the expanded scope of practice for optometrists in Ohio, which includes glaucoma management and the ability to prescribe oral medications. Such professional advancements can enhance both clinical responsibility and compensation opportunities, shaping Cincinnati's job market to favor experienced practitioners.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,736 | $33.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,153 | $50.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,637 | $77.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,816 | $84.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $256,895 | $123.51 |
Median Salary Position
14.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $188,159 (2026 est.). At $161,637, the local median is 14.95% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cincinnati: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cincinnati Optometrist Pay Compares
Cincinnati median: $161,637/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cincinnati Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,330 | +17.70% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +14.95% more |
Optometrists in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $161,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.95% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 17.70% above the Ohio state average of $137,330.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cincinnati has a cost of living 4.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cincinnati, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $161,637 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $169,484 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.85% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$119,620
2025 BLS Actual
$156,990
2026 Current Est.
$161,637
2019–2027 Growth
+39.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,637 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,421 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 31.2% from $119,620 (2019) to $156,990 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,421 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,801 (39.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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) | $68,736 – $105,153 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,153 – $161,637 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,637 – $174,816 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,816 – $256,895 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Cincinnati
The local employment landscape is solid, with around 300 optometrists currently practicing in the Cincinnati area. Given the cost of living index of 95.37, which is below the national average, optometrists can enjoy a stronger purchasing power relative to their earnings. Among the highest-paying employers in Cincinnati include private optometry practices and ophthalmology centers, particularly those that utilize an OD/MD model, allowing for shared revenue from surgical referrals. The variation in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as practice ownership, the type of practice setting, and specialized residency training in ocular disease. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Cincinnati, pursuing advanced training and considering roles in privately-owned practices or multidisciplinary settings may yield higher financial returns than typical retail optometry for chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Cincinnati, OH in 2026?
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Cincinnati?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Cincinnati?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Cincinnati?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 $156,990 for optometristsin the Cincinnati 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