Optometrist Salary in Springfield, OH: $138,539 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Springfield, OH earns a median $138,539/year (≈ $66.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $152,744 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Springfield, Ohio, optometrists can anticipate a median annual salary of $138,539 in 2026, reflecting a competitive positioning against the national median of $140,612. The local salary range is broad, spanning from $80,352 for the lower 10th percentile to $205,283 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant potential for earnings based on experience and practice ownership. These figures reflect estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, and highlight an increasingly lucrative landscape for optometrists, particularly those involved in surgical co-management with ophthalmologists. Given the expected growth rate of 2.96% annually over the next five years, Springfield's job market for optometrists appears poised for continued development.
About the Springfield Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,352 | $38.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,334 | $52.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,539 | $66.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,225 | $80.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,283 | $98.70 |
Median Salary Position
1.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, OH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,931 (2026 est.). At $138,539, the local median is 1.47% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Optometrist Pay Compares
Springfield median: $138,539/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,303 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.47% less |
Optometrists in Springfield, OH earn a median of $138,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.90% above the Ohio state average of $137,303.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield 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.
Springfield, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $138,539 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,744 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,550
2025 BLS Actual
$134,556
2026 Current Est.
$138,539
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,309 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,467 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,738 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,915 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,958 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,539 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,640 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,550 (2019) to $134,556 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,640 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,090 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $80,352 – $109,334 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,334 – $138,539 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,539 – $168,225 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,225 – $205,283 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Springfield
As of now, Springfield is home to only eight optometrists, underscoring a relatively niche job market that can influence compensation dynamics. The cost of living index, currently at 90.7, indicates that living expenses in the area are below the national average, which boosts the purchasing power of salaries earned here. Among employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains, driven by factors such as practice ownership equity and collaborative revenue models in surgical settings. Strategies to maximize earnings in Springfield include pursuing residency training for specialties, engaging in the OD/MD practice model, and considering opportunities to align with private equity-backed practices. By navigating these avenues, optometrists can enhance their market position and achieve higher optometrist pay in Springfield, OH.
More salary data for Springfield, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Springfield?
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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 $134,556 for optometristsin the Springfield 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 Springfield 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