Optometrist Salary in Grove City, OH: $135,707 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Grove City, OH earns a median $135,707/year (≈ $65.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Grove City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $149,622 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Grove City, Ohio, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $135,707, reflecting the local dynamics of practice ownership, employment as associates, and positions within retail optical chains. With salaries ranging from $78,710 at the lower end to $190,190 at the high end, these figures reveal a competitive marketplace tailored to various avenues of optometric practice. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate that while compensation might lean slightly below the national median of $140,612, the opportunity for growth exists as the local industry anticipates a robust annual growth rate of 2.96%. The current economic situation in Grove City illustrates a shifting landscape for optometrists, influenced by the choice between private practice and retail chain employment.
About the Grove City Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,710 | $37.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,704 | $52.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,707 | $65.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,333 | $76.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,190 | $91.44 |
Median Salary Position
3.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grove City
In Grove City, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,480 (2026 est.). At $135,707, the local median is 3.49% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grove City: You'd be above the median
How Grove City Optometrist Pay Compares
Grove City median: $135,707/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grove City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,356 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.49% less |
Optometrists in Grove City, OH earn a median of $135,707 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $137,356.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grove City 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.
Grove City, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,707 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,622 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,230
2025 BLS Actual
$131,806
2026 Current Est.
$135,707
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Grove City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,932 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,964 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,209 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,527 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,806 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,707 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grove City metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,230 (2019) to $131,806 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,494 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grove City 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) | $78,710 – $108,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,704 – $135,707 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,707 – $159,333 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,333 – $190,190 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Grove City
The local job market shows that there are currently only 7 optometrists employed in Grove City. Given the area's cost-of-living index of 90.7, residents enjoy a more affordable lifestyle that enhances their take-home purchasing power. Among employers, private optometry practices generally offer the best compensation, particularly for those with advanced residency training or who operate under an OD/MD model that allows for surgical referrals and additional revenue opportunities. The pay gap between the lower and upper ends of the salary spectrum can be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, the transition of practices to private equity ownership, and varying employment terms. To maximize earning potential in Grove City, optometrists should consider enhancing their credentials through residency training, engaging in community networking opportunities, and possibly exploring collaborations with ophthalmology to expand their services and patient base.
More salary data for Grove City, 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 $131,806 for optometristsin the Grove City 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 Grove City 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