Optometrist Salary in Cleveland Heights, OH: $130,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Cleveland Heights, OH earns a median $130,305/year (≈ $62.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Cleveland Heights's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $143,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, the projected median annual optometrist salary for 2026 is $130,305, which reflects a slight disparity when compared to the national median of $140,612. This local figure encompasses a salary range from $75,577 at the lower end (P10) to $185,005 at the upper end (P90), underscoring the variability in compensation driven by factors such as practice ownership and the collaborative OD/MD model that enhances revenue through surgical co-management. Estimates for these figures derive from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations, making them pertinent for understanding the unique market dynamics of Cleveland Heights as it relates to optometry salaries.
About the Cleveland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,577 | $36.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,876 | $50.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,305 | $62.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,443 | $74.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,005 | $88.95 |
Median Salary Position
7.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland Heights
In Cleveland Heights, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,428 (2026 est.). At $130,305, the local median is 7.33% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland Heights: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Heights Optometrist Pay Compares
Cleveland Heights median: $130,305/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,308 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.33% less |
Optometrists in Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $130,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.33% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $137,308.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland Heights 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.
Cleveland Heights, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,305 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,666 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% 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
$106,802
2025 BLS Actual
$126,559
2026 Current Est.
$130,305
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,802 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,397 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,188 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,384 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,194 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,889 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,559 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,162 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland Heights metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $106,802 (2019) to $126,559 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,162 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,360 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland Heights 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) | $75,577 – $105,876 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,876 – $130,305 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,305 – $154,443 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,443 – $185,005 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Cleveland Heights
As of now, the job market in Cleveland Heights is relatively stable, with nine optometrists currently employed in the area. The cost of living index in this city stands at 90.7, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power can be advantageous for residents. Private practices, especially those with ownership opportunities, tend to pay more compared to corporate retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. This pay variability is influenced by numerous factors, including whether an optometrist engages in an OD/MD collaborative model, residency training, and the terms of employment in practices that have transitioned to private equity ownership. Optometrists seeking to maximize their earning potential in Cleveland Heights should consider pursuing advanced training in specialties such as glaucoma management or ocular disease and explore entrepreneurial paths in private practice, where the potential for higher revenue can be greater.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Cleveland Heights, OH in 2026?
Is Cleveland Heights, OH a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Cleveland Heights?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Cleveland Heights?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Cleveland Heights?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $126,559 for optometristsin the Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights 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