Healthcare Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Optometrist Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median optometrist salary in Cleveland, OH is $110,519 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.3% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$110,519
vs State Avg
$-5,024
vs National
$-15,071
Cost of Living
86%

Optometrist Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median optometrist salary of $110,519, which is $5,024 below the Ohio state average of $115,543. Compared to the national median of $125,590, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $110,519 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $128,510 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for optometrists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for optometrists in Cleveland spans from $68,640 at the 10th percentile to $168,960 at the 90th percentile — a $100,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $72,160, while senior optometrists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $156,640. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Optometrist Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level optometrist earns around $72,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $156,640 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$72,160
$-9,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$112,640
$-15,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$156,640
$-21,360 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $68,640
25th Percentile $88,000
Median (50th) $110,519
75th Percentile $139,040
90th Percentile $168,960

Optometrist Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$121,822
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$115,543
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$108,007
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$105,496
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Optometrist in Cleveland

Education

Most optometrist positions require a doctoral degree. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Eye ExaminationRefractionContact Lens FittingOcular DiseasePatient EducationDiagnostic Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, optometrist employment is projected to grow 9% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Optometrist Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open optometrist positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Optometrist Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Optometrist make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median optometrist salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $110,519 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $125,590. Salaries range from $68,640 (10th percentile) to $168,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Optometrist make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $110,519, a optometrist in Cleveland earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for optometrist pay? ▼
Cleveland's median optometrist salary of $110,519 is 4.3% below the Ohio state average of $115,543. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a optometrist salary of $110,519 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a optometrist in Cleveland? ▼
Most optometrist positions in Cleveland require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Eye Examination, Refraction, Contact Lens Fitting, Ocular Disease. The job market is projected to grow 9% nationally over the next decade.