Optometrist salary in Michigan
Optometrists in Michigan earn a median of $135,650 a year ($65.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,850 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $136,570. Michigan ranks 23rd of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.32 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $144,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| 25th percentile | $125,000 | $60.10 |
| Median | $135,650 | $65.21 |
| 75th percentile | $161,970 | $77.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,850 | $102.81 |
| Average (mean) | $144,610 | $69.52 |
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 | $11,304.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,652.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,217.31 |
| Weekly | $2,608.65 |
| Hourly | $65.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Michigan
| 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 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $131,770 | 70 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $94,300 | $45.34 |
| Physicians, All Other | $155,480 | $74.75 |
| Pharmacist | $137,860 | $66.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,790 | $40.28 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,900 | $48.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,450 | $63.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,510 | $63.23 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,120 | $42.84 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $214,070 | $102.92 |
| Dentists, General | $169,930 | $81.70 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,850 | $32.14 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $247,010 | $118.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for optometrists in Michigan is $135,650 a year, or $65.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of optometrists in Michigan earn at least $213,850 a year. The top 25% earn $161,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,110 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $125,000 or less.
How many optometrists work in Michigan?
About 1,410 optometrists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.