Optometrist Salary in Westerville, OH: $135,494 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Westerville, OH earns a median $135,494/year (≈ $65.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Westerville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $149,387 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for optometrists in Westerville, Ohio, is estimated at $135,494 annually, slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this area spans from $78,586 at the lower end to $189,470 for those who are among the highest earners. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, emphasize the potential earnings for professionals in this field amid a market where surgical co-management revenue from the OD/MD model can significantly enhance overall compensation. As Westerville continues to experience growth in optometry services, the demand for qualified practitioners remains strong, reflecting a positive outlook for those entering or advancing in the profession.
About the Westerville Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,586 | $37.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,270 | $52.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,494 | $65.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,826 | $76.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,470 | $91.09 |
Median Salary Position
3.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westerville
In Westerville, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,884 (2026 est.). At $135,494, the local median is 3.64% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westerville: You'd be above the median
How Westerville Optometrist Pay Compares
Westerville median: $135,494/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,279 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.64% less |
Optometrists in Westerville, OH earn a median of $135,494 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.30% below the Ohio state average of $137,279.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westerville 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.
Westerville, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,494 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,387 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$111,055
2025 BLS Actual
$131,599
2026 Current Est.
$135,494
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Westerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,055 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,776 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,019 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,344 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,494 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,505 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westerville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,055 (2019) to $131,599 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,505 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,450 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westerville 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) | $78,586 – $108,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,270 – $135,494 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,494 – $158,826 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,826 – $189,470 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Westerville
With only eight optometrists employed in Westerville, the local job market for this profession is relatively niche, offering unique benefits and challenges. The cost of living index of 90.7 indicates that residents enjoy a lower-than-average economic environment, which can enhance the purchasing power of optometrists' salaries in the area. Employers here include private optometry practices, retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision, and specialized ophthalmology practices that can offer higher pay, especially when working alongside surgical colleagues. The disparity in salaries is influenced by factors such as practice ownership, subspecialty training, and the evolving landscape of the optometry field. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, seeking roles in integrated settings like OD/MD practices or pursuing additional residency training in ocular disease can provide a competitive edge in Westerville's optometric market.
More salary data for Westerville, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Westerville, OH in 2026?
Is Westerville, OH a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Westerville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Westerville?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Westerville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $131,599 for optometristsin the Westerville 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 Westerville 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