Optometrist Salary

Cincinnati vs Grove City: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Grove City, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$161,637
$77.71/hr
Grove City, OH
$135,707
$65.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHGrove City, OH
Median Salary$161,637$135,707
Hourly Rate$77.71$65.25
Entry Level (P10)$68,736$78,710
25th Percentile$105,153$108,704
75th Percentile$174,816$159,333
Top Earner (P90)$256,895$190,190
Total Employed3007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($161,637) and Grove City ($135,707) optometrist salaries.CincinnatiGrove CityMedian Salary$161,637$135,707Entry Level (P10)$68,736$78,710Top Earner (P90)$256,895$190,190US Median $140,612

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Grove City.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Grove City is $25,930 (19.11%). Cincinnati's median is +14.95% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $188,159,Grove City spans $111,480. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$68,736
P25$105,153
Median$161,637
P75$174,816
P90 (Top)$256,895
Grove City
P10 (Entry)$78,710
P25$108,704
Median$135,707
P75$159,333
P90 (Top)$190,190

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($169,484 effective) pays 13.27% more than Grove City ($149,622 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $161,637
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $169,484
Grove City
Nominal: $135,707
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $149,622

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($161,637/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($256,895)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $169,484)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Grove City if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Cincinnati grew 31.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.1% growth in Grove City over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$119,620 (2019) → $156,990 (2025)

Grove City, OH

+13.1%

$116,527 (2024) → $131,806 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Cincinnati or Grove City?

Cincinnati has a higher median optometrist salary at $161,637/year, compared to Grove City at $135,707/year — a difference of $25,930 (19.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Grove City?

Cincinnati optometrists earn $77.71/hr while Grove City hygienists earn $65.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Grove City as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Grove City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $169,484, Grove City = $149,622), job availability (300 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Cincinnati vs Grove City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $68,736 in Cincinnati and $78,710 in Grove City. The Grove City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov