Optometrist Salary in Newark, OH: $130,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Newark, OH earns a median $130,721/year (≈ $62.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Newark's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $144,125 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $130,721 for 2026, optometrists in Newark, Ohio, benefit from a compensation model that incorporates surgical co-management revenue, particularly prominent in the OD/MD model. The expected salary range spans from $75,819 at the 10th percentile to $186,386 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse scopes of practice and employment settings throughout the region. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local market conditions, revealing an intriguing dynamic in a locality where only 10 optometrists are currently active. Understanding the local market allows aspiring optometrists to make informed decisions about their career paths and compensation expectations in Newark.
About the Newark Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,819 | $36.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,710 | $51.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,721 | $62.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,418 | $74.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,386 | $89.61 |
Median Salary Position
7.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newark
In Newark, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,567 (2026 est.). At $130,721, the local median is 7.03% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Newark: You'd be above the median
How Newark Optometrist Pay Compares
Newark median: $130,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newark Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,312 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.03% less |
Optometrists in Newark, OH earn a median of $130,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.03% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.80% below the Ohio state average of $137,312.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newark 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.
Newark, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,721 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,125 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,143
2025 BLS Actual
$126,963
2026 Current Est.
$130,721
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Newark (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,143 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,746 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,556 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,755 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,584 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,245 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,963 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,590 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newark metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,143 (2019) to $126,963 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,590 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,447 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newark 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) | $75,819 – $106,710 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,710 – $130,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,721 – $155,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,418 – $186,386 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Newark
The job market for optometrists in Newark, OH, is slightly below the national average in terms of salary, which may be influenced by the cost of living index of 90.7. This lower index suggests that while the absolute salaries might be less than in other regions, the purchasing power remains relatively stable for residents. In Newark, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups often offer the highest pay, especially for those involved in the OD/MD collaborative model with access to surgical revenue. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to various factors, including practice ownership equity, the operational model chosen—whether retail chains or private practices—and whether the optometrist has undergone residency training in ocular disease. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced training, engaging in surgical co-management, and strategically considering practice affiliation can all contribute to enhanced compensation in the Newark area.
More salary data for Newark, 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 $126,963 for optometristsin the Newark 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 Newark 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