Optometrist Salary in Youngstown, OH: $133,884 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Youngstown, OH earns a median $133,884/year (≈ $64.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Youngstown's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $147,612 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Youngstown, Ohio, the 2026 median annual salary for optometrists is projected at $133,884, slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession in the region varies significantly, with the lower end at $77,652 and the upper end reaching $197,378. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price considerations, reveal a local market where practice structures—whether as independent owners, employed associates, or within retail chains—affect earning potential. The ability to choose between different employment models can significantly influence income, particularly as private practices, often tied to traditional patient care, might yield different compensation levels compared to retail optical chains with their structured pay scales.
About the Youngstown Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,652 | $37.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,193 | $52.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,884 | $64.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,208 | $79.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,378 | $94.90 |
Median Salary Position
4.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Youngstown
In Youngstown, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,726 (2026 est.). At $133,884, the local median is 4.78% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Youngstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Youngstown Optometrist Pay Compares
Youngstown median: $133,884/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Youngstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,317 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.78% less |
Optometrists in Youngstown, OH earn a median of $133,884 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.78% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.50% below the Ohio state average of $137,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Youngstown 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.
Youngstown, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,884 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,612 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,735
2025 BLS Actual
$130,035
2026 Current Est.
$133,884
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Youngstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,735 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,401 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,035 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,884 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,847 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Youngstown metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,735 (2019) to $130,035 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,847 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,112 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Youngstown 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) | $77,652 – $108,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,193 – $133,884 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,884 – $165,208 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,208 – $197,378 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Youngstown
Examining the local employment landscape, Youngstown has about 15 optometrists currently working in the area. The relatively low cost of living, evident from the CoL index of 90.7, enhances take-home purchasing power, making salaries more livable despite the slightly lower pay compared to national figures. Office settings like private optometry practices typically offer more lucrative pay compared to retail chains such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision; however, opportunities to work alongside ophthalmologists in OD/MD models can further elevate earnings through shared surgical referrals. This variance illustrates a critical gap, influenced by factors including practice ownership equity, training, and the terms set by private equity takeovers of formerly independent practices. For those starting their careers in Youngstown, focusing on areas like residency training in ocular disease, seeking positions within collaborative healthcare environments, and understanding the local job market dynamics may be essential strategies for maximizing optometrist pay in Youngstown, OH.
More salary data for Youngstown, 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 $130,035 for optometristsin the Youngstown 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 Youngstown 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