Optometrist salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
Optometrists in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn a median of $131,770 a year ($63.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,720 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 3% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $135,650. There are 0.54 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $133,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,910 | $49.96 |
| 25th percentile | $126,350 | $60.75 |
| Median | $131,770 | $63.35 |
| 75th percentile | $157,780 | $75.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,720 | $79.19 |
| Average (mean) | $133,550 | $64.21 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,980.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,490.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,068.08 |
| Weekly | $2,534.04 |
| Hourly | $63.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $142,690 | 610 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $138,360 | 30 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $134,420 | 170 |
| Flint, MI | $134,030 | 70 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $133,770 | 50 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $130,710 | 70 |
| Traverse City, MI | $118,030 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $88,200 | $42.40 |
| Physicians, All Other | $305,510 | $146.88 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,460 | $60.80 |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,570 | $61.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,920 | $47.08 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $244,310 | $117.46 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,220 | $36.65 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,520 | $39.19 |
| Dentists, General | $187,770 | $90.27 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,150 | $41.90 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The median salary for optometrists in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area is $131,770 a year, or $63.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn at least $164,720 a year. The top 25% earn $157,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,910 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $126,350 or less.
How many optometrists work in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
About 70 optometrists are employed in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.