Optometrist Salary in Dayton, OH: $143,114 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Dayton, OH earns a median $143,114/year (≈ $68.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $154,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Dayton, Ohio, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $143,114, which sits slightly above the national median of $140,612. The local salary range reflects a notable span, with the lower ten percentile earning approximately $67,284 and the top ten percentile exceeding $207,454. This advanced compensation can be attributed in part to Ohio's expansive scope of practice, allowing optometrists to manage glaucoma, prescribe oral medications, and perform certain laser procedures. With 70 optometrists currently employed in the area, Dayton continues to offer competitive opportunities for eye care professionals, positioning the city as an attractive market for both new graduates and seasoned practitioners.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,284 | $32.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,539 | $48.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,114 | $68.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,509 | $82.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,454 | $99.74 |
Median Salary Position
1.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,170 (2026 est.). At $143,114, the local median is 1.78% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be above the median
How Dayton Optometrist Pay Compares
Dayton median: $143,114/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,346 | +4.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.78% more |
Optometrists in Dayton, OH earn a median of $143,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.78% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.20% above the Ohio state average of $137,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $143,114 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,394 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,170
2025 BLS Actual
$139,000
2026 Current Est.
$143,114
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $164,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,114 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,351 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 22.8% from $113,170 (2019) to $139,000 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,351 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,181 (30.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $67,284 – $101,539 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,539 – $143,114 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,114 – $172,509 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,509 – $207,454 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Dayton
Focusing on the local employment scene reveals some distinct considerations. The cost of living index for Dayton stands at 92.694, which is below the national average, helping to amplify the purchasing power of the optometrist salary in Dayton. Employers vary widely, with private practices generally offering better pay than retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, due in part to the potential for ownership equity and flexible employment terms. While working alongside ophthalmologists within OD/MD models can yield higher income through surgical referrals, retail environments might not provide similar growth potential. To maximize pay in this market, optometrists should consider seeking residency training, particularly in ocular disease or through pathways that involve VA experiences, thereby enhancing their appeal to employers and positioning themselves for higher earning opportunities.
More salary data for Dayton, 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 $139,000 for optometristsin the Dayton 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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