Optometrist Salary in Westlake, OH: $136,155 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Westlake, OH earns a median $136,155/year (≈ $65.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Westlake's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $150,116 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an optometrist in Westlake, OH, can expect a median annual salary of $136,155, which is slightly below the national average of $140,612. The salary spectrum for this profession in the area ranges from $78,970 at the lower end to $191,705 at the top, providing a healthy income potential for practitioners. These figures are informed by 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional price parity. Given the growing trend in OD/MD model practices that offer surgical co-management revenue opportunities, the local job market remains appealing, especially for those willing to engage in collaborative care settings.
About the Westlake Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,620 | $52.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,155 | $65.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,399 | $77.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,705 | $92.17 |
Median Salary Position
3.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westlake
In Westlake, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,735 (2026 est.). At $136,155, the local median is 3.17% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westlake: You'd be above the median
How Westlake Optometrist Pay Compares
Westlake median: $136,155/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westlake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,253 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.17% less |
Optometrists in Westlake, OH earn a median of $136,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.17% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% below the Ohio state average of $137,253.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westlake 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.
Westlake, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,155 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,116 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
$111,597
2025 BLS Actual
$132,241
2026 Current Est.
$136,155
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Westlake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,597 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,308 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,609 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,912 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,241 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,155 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,186 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westlake metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,597 (2019) to $132,241 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,186 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,589 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westlake 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) | $78,970 – $109,620 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,620 – $136,155 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,155 – $160,399 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,399 – $191,705 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Westlake
The job market for optometrists in Westlake is relatively niche, with only five professionals currently employed in the field. This limited workforce is complemented by a cost-of-living index of 90.7, which offers an advantageous environment for take-home income and purchasing power. In terms of employer comparisons, ophthalmology practices that utilize the OD/MD model often command the highest salaries by sharing surgical referral revenues, while retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks typically pay less. Factors influencing the salary range include equity stakes in private practices, training in ocular diseases, and the evolving landscape of practice ownership resulting from consolidation and private equity investments. For those seeking to maximize their compensation, strategies should include pursuing residency training and aligning with practices that leverage the pandemic-driven shifts towards telehealth and comprehensive eye care solutions.
More salary data for Westlake, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Westlake, OH in 2026?
Is Westlake, OH a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Westlake?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Westlake?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Westlake?
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 $132,241 for optometristsin the Westlake 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 Westlake 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