Optometrist Salary in Stow, OH: $130,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Stow, OH earns a median $130,795/year (≈ $62.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Stow's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $144,206 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Stow, Ohio, the financial outlook for optometrists is shaped by their professional setting, whether in private practice, retail chains, or as independent owners, with a median annual salary of $130,795 projected for 2026. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $140,612, reflecting local economic factors. The overall salary range in Stow sees optometrists earning between $75,861 at the lower end and up to $186,635 at the upper end, as derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026. With a cost of living index of 90.7, professionals in this area can find their earnings stretching further than in many other regions, making Stow an attractive location for those entering the field or seeking to advance their careers.
About the Stow Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,861 | $36.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,860 | $51.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,795 | $62.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,593 | $74.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,635 | $89.73 |
Median Salary Position
6.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stow
In Stow, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,774 (2026 est.). At $130,795, the local median is 6.98% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stow: You'd be above the median
How Stow Optometrist Pay Compares
Stow median: $130,795/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stow Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,246 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.98% less |
Optometrists in Stow, OH earn a median of $130,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.98% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.70% below the Ohio state average of $137,246.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stow 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.
Stow, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,795 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,206 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,204
2025 BLS Actual
$127,035
2026 Current Est.
$130,795
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Stow (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,204 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,808 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,622 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,822 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,654 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,309 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,035 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,667 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stow metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,204 (2019) to $127,035 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,667 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,463 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stow 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) | $75,861 – $106,860 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,860 – $130,795 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,795 – $155,593 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,593 – $186,635 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Stow
The local job market consists of nine optometrists, indicating a relatively small but stable demand for eye care services in Stow. Given the cost of living, earning potential can be impacted significantly, particularly depending on employment settings. Private practices and ophthalmology groups often provide higher compensation compared to retail chains like Walmart Vision or LensCrafters. Variables that widen the pay gap include practice ownership, which can enhance income through equity, and the OD/MD model, which may offer additional referral revenue streams. Moreover, residency training, particularly in ocular disease, can lead to more competitive pay structures. Optometrists aiming to maximize their income in Stow should consider aligning themselves with higher-paying practices and exploring entrepreneurial avenues in private practice.
More salary data for Stow, 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 $127,035 for optometristsin the Stow 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 Stow 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