Optometrist Salary in Mentor, OH: $131,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Mentor, OH earns a median $131,743/year (≈ $63.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Mentor's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $145,251 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $131,743, optometrists practicing in Mentor, Ohio, can expect competitive compensation that reflects their expanding scope of practice. This includes advanced services such as the management of glaucoma, prescription of oral medications, and select laser procedures. The salary range in this region extends from $77,874 at the 10th percentile to $194,142 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial variation in earnings based on experience, job setting, and additional credentials. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest that Mentor's market is conducive to good earnings, though opportunities remain influenced by the overall employment environment.
About the Mentor Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,874 | $37.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,777 | $52.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,743 | $63.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,984 | $73.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,142 | $93.33 |
Median Salary Position
6.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mentor
In Mentor, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,268 (2026 est.). At $131,743, the local median is 6.31% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mentor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mentor Optometrist Pay Compares
Mentor median: $131,743/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mentor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,376 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.31% less |
Optometrists in Mentor, OH earn a median of $131,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.31% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.10% below the Ohio state average of $137,376.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mentor 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.
Mentor, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,743 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,251 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,981
2025 BLS Actual
$127,956
2026 Current Est.
$131,743
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Mentor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,981 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,604 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,669 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,543 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,124 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,956 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,643 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mentor metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,981 (2019) to $127,956 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,643 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,662 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mentor 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) | $77,874 – $108,777 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,777 – $131,743 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,743 – $152,984 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,984 – $194,142 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Mentor
At present, Mentor is home to nine optometrists, creating a small yet robust local job market. The cost of living index sits at 90.7, indicating that living expenses in the area are below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for optometrists. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include private practices and ophthalmology offices that utilize an OD/MD model, which may provide additional revenue through surgical referrals. The pay disparity in Mentor can stem from several factors, including practice ownership equity, the experience level of the optometrist, and whether they have completed residency training focusing on ocular disease. To maximize pay in this specific market, optometrists should consider networking with local employers, exploring opportunities for further training, and potentially seeking practice ownership to cultivate financial growth.
More salary data for Mentor, 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 $127,956 for optometristsin the Mentor 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 Mentor 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