Optometrist Salary in Delaware, OH: $135,601 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Delaware, OH earns a median $135,601/year (≈ $65.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Delaware's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $149,505 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Delaware, OH, can expect a median annual salary of $135,601 in 2026, reflecting a slightly lower figure compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession spans from $78,649 at the 10th percentile to as much as $189,494 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial variability based on experience and workplace settings. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the local cost of living, which presently sits below the national average. With the state allowing prescriptive authority over oral medications and laser procedures, optometrists practicing in Delaware enjoy an expanded scope of practice that can enhance overall earning potential and job market attractiveness.
About the Delaware Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,649 | $37.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,734 | $54.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,601 | $65.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,285 | $76.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,494 | $91.10 |
Median Salary Position
3.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Delaware
In Delaware, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,845 (2026 est.). At $135,601, the local median is 3.56% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Delaware: You'd be above the median
How Delaware Optometrist Pay Compares
Delaware median: $135,601/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Delaware Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,248 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.56% less |
Optometrists in Delaware, OH earn a median of $135,601 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.56% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $137,248.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Delaware 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.
Delaware, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,601 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,505 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,143
2025 BLS Actual
$131,703
2026 Current Est.
$135,601
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,143 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,843 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,114 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,161 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,436 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,703 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,601 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,615 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,143 (2019) to $131,703 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,615 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,472 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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) | $78,649 – $113,734 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,734 – $135,601 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,601 – $159,285 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,285 – $189,494 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Delaware
In the local job market, there are currently only seven optometrists employed in Delaware, which suggests a niche but established field. The cost-of-living index for Delaware is 90.7, providing a favorable environment where earnings stretch further than in many metropolitan areas. Among employers, private optometry practices tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly those embracing an OD/MD model that accommodates surgical referrals. In contrast, retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks generally provide lower compensation but can offer a more predictable work environment. Variability in optometrist pay in Delaware can be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, the employment terms with private equity-owned practices, and the differences brought by residency training in ocular disease. For those entering this market, aligning with high-paying employers and potentially pursuing additional training could lead to substantial benefits in career earnings.
More salary data for Delaware, 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 $131,703 for optometristsin the Delaware 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 Delaware 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