Optometrist Salary in Cuyahoga Falls, OH: $137,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Cuyahoga Falls, OH earns a median $137,853/year (≈ $66.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Cuyahoga Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $151,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the optometrist salary in Cuyahoga Falls stands at a median of $137,853, reflecting a competitive local job market. The pay range for optometrists in this area stretches from $79,955 at the 10th percentile to $197,849 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation structure influenced by factors such as practice ownership and surgical co-management models with ophthalmologists. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and take into account regional price adjustments. As the implementation of advanced optometric services grows, particularly in Cuyahoga Falls, there is potential for increased earnings for those practitioners who adapt their model to optimize revenue streams derived from co-management relationships.
About the Cuyahoga Falls Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,955 | $38.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,960 | $51.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,853 | $66.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,542 | $78.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,849 | $95.12 |
Median Salary Position
1.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cuyahoga Falls
In Cuyahoga Falls, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,894 (2026 est.). At $137,853, the local median is 1.96% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cuyahoga Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cuyahoga Falls Optometrist Pay Compares
Cuyahoga Falls median: $137,853/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cuyahoga Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,304 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.96% less |
Optometrists in Cuyahoga Falls, OH earn a median of $137,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.96% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.40% above the Ohio state average of $137,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cuyahoga Falls 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.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $137,853 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,988 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,988
2025 BLS Actual
$133,890
2026 Current Est.
$137,853
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Cuyahoga Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,988 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,733 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,861 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,125 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,272 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,934 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cuyahoga Falls metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,988 (2019) to $133,890 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,934 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,946 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cuyahoga Falls 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) | $79,955 – $107,960 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,960 – $137,853 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,853 – $163,542 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,542 – $197,849 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Cuyahoga Falls
The local job market for optometrists in Cuyahoga Falls consists of approximately 11 employed professionals, making for a niche yet stable environment. With a cost of living index of 90.7, practitioners can enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle, which enhances their take-home purchasing power compared to other regions. Among the top employers, ophthalmology practices following the OD/MD model typically offer some of the highest salaries, capitalizing on surgical revenue-sharing opportunities. Factors contributing to the wage variability include ownership stakes in private practices, the lure of benefits from retail chains, and the added premiums for those with residency training in ocular disease. To maximize pay, aspiring optometrists should consider focusing on specialty areas of practice, aligning with successful ophthalmology partners, and seeking out post-acquisition opportunities within previously independent practices that may now be owned by private equity firms.
More salary data for Cuyahoga Falls, 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 $133,890 for optometristsin the Cuyahoga Falls 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 Cuyahoga Falls 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