Optometrist Salary in Fairfield, OH: $131,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fairfield, OH earns a median $131,882/year (≈ $63.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $145,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Fairfield, Ohio, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $131,882, a reflection of the area's growing role in eye care and the potential revenue streams available through the OD/MD model for surgical co-management. Salary estimates range significantly from $78,183 at the lower end to $194,613 at the higher end, demonstrating the diverse earning potential within the profession. These numbers reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted to account for regional cost-of-living metrics. The relatively close proximity to the national median salary of $140,612 indicates a competitive job market in Fairfield for optometrists, suggesting opportunities for practitioners to thrive and serve the local community's eye care needs.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,183 | $37.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,059 | $52.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,882 | $63.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,308 | $73.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,613 | $93.56 |
Median Salary Position
6.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
In Fairfield, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,430 (2026 est.). At $131,882, the local median is 6.21% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfield Optometrist Pay Compares
Fairfield median: $131,882/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,378 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.21% less |
Optometrists in Fairfield, OH earn a median of $131,882 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.21% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.00% below the Ohio state average of $137,378.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfield 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.
Fairfield, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,882 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,405 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,095
2025 BLS Actual
$128,091
2026 Current Est.
$131,882
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,095 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,721 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,583 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,793 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,673 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,243 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,091 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,786 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,095 (2019) to $128,091 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,786 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,691 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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) | $78,183 – $109,059 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,059 – $131,882 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,882 – $153,308 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,308 – $194,613 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fairfield
The job market for optometrists in Fairfield currently sees around nine professionals actively employed, indicating a stable but small field. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, the economic environment is slightly below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of salaries here. Among local employers, those in the OD/MD model often provide higher compensation compared to retail optical chains and private practices. The differences in pay can be attributed to factors such as ownership equity in private practices, additional income from surgical referrals, and the residency training advantage in specialized areas. Optometrists seeking to maximize their pay in Fairfield should consider enhancing their skills through residency programs focused on ocular disease, partnering with ophthalmologists, or even exploring private equity-owned practices that may offer competitive salary packages post-acquisition.
More salary data for Fairfield, 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 $128,091 for optometristsin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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