Optometrist Salary

Cincinnati vs Massillon: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$161,637
$77.71/hr
Massillon, OH
$129,179
$62.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHMassillon, OH
Median Salary$161,637$129,179
Hourly Rate$77.71$62.11
Entry Level (P10)$68,736$75,932
25th Percentile$105,153$106,244
75th Percentile$174,816$157,334
Top Earner (P90)$256,895$189,701
Total Employed3007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($161,637) and Massillon ($129,179) optometrist salaries.CincinnatiMassillonMedian Salary$161,637$129,179Entry Level (P10)$68,736$75,932Top Earner (P90)$256,895$189,701US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Massillon is $32,458 (25.13%). 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,Massillon spans $113,769. 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
Massillon
P10 (Entry)$75,932
P25$106,244
Median$129,179
P75$157,334
P90 (Top)$189,701

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($169,484 effective) pays 19.00% more than Massillon ($142,424 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $161,637
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $169,484
Massillon
Nominal: $129,179
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $142,424

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 Massillon 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 11.2% growth in Massillon over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$119,620 (2019) → $156,990 (2025)

Massillon, OH

+11.2%

$112,822 (2024) → $125,465 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Cincinnati or Massillon?

Cincinnati has a higher median optometrist salary at $161,637/year, compared to Massillon at $129,179/year — a difference of $32,458 (25.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Massillon?

Cincinnati optometrists earn $77.71/hr while Massillon hygienists earn $62.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Massillon as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Massillon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $169,484, Massillon = $142,424), job availability (300 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Cincinnati vs Massillon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $68,736 in Cincinnati and $75,932 in Massillon. The Massillon 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