Optometrist Salary in Kettering, OH: $141,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Kettering, OH earns a median $141,185/year (≈ $67.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Kettering's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $155,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Kettering, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $141,185 in 2026, which aligns closely with the national figure of $140,612. The salary range for this profession within the city spans from $81,887 at the lower end to $214,129 for those at the top tier, reflecting diverse employment models from practice ownership to retail chain positions. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, considering local cost adjustments, which provide a comprehensive view of what optometrists can earn in this Midwestern market. Factors such as the choice between solo and group practices versus retail optical chains significantly influence compensation, with practice ownership often yielding higher salaries due to equity participation and specialized service offerings.
About the Kettering Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,887 | $39.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,377 | $54.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,185 | $67.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,393 | $83.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,129 | $102.95 |
Median Salary Position
0.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kettering
In Kettering, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,242 (2026 est.). At $141,185, the local median is 0.41% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kettering: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kettering Optometrist Pay Compares
Kettering median: $141,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kettering Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,339 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.41% more |
Optometrists in Kettering, OH earn a median of $141,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.41% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% above the Ohio state average of $137,339.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kettering 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.
Kettering, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $141,185 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,662 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,719
2025 BLS Actual
$137,126
2026 Current Est.
$141,185
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Kettering (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,719 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,531 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,806 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,101 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,157 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,126 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kettering metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $115,719 (2019) to $137,126 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,645 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kettering 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) | $81,887 – $114,377 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,377 – $141,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,185 – $174,393 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,393 – $214,129 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Kettering
In Kettering, there are currently ten employed optometrists, indicating a localized job market that may offer growth potential, though the cost of living index is relatively low at 90.7. This affordability can enhance the overall purchasing power of optometrists’ salaries, making the compensation more attractive than it might initially appear. While retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision may provide competitive salaries, private practices often excel in compensating for specific expertise, especially for residency-trained optometrists. Salary disparities can arise from factors such as the integration of optometrists into ophthalmology practices (OD/MD models) and varying post-acquisition terms of private equity-owned practices. To maximize their earning potential, optometrists in Kettering should consider pursuing advanced residencies in ocular disease and striving for a mix of both clinical and management roles to elevate their market position.
More salary data for Kettering, 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 $137,126 for optometristsin the Kettering 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 Kettering 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