Optometrist salary in Traverse City, MI
Optometrists in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $118,030 a year ($56.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,620 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 13% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $135,650. There are 0.64 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $120,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| 25th percentile | $100,390 | $48.27 |
| Median | $118,030 | $56.75 |
| 75th percentile | $139,730 | $67.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,620 | $76.74 |
| Average (mean) | $120,150 | $57.77 |
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 | $9,835.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,917.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,539.62 |
| Weekly | $2,269.81 |
| Hourly | $56.75 |
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 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $131,770 | 70 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $130,710 | 70 |
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 Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,690 | $40.24 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.86 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,570 | $39.22 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,180 | $64.51 |
| Pharmacist | $143,050 | $68.77 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,910 | $59.57 |
| Occupational Therapist | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Physicians, All Other | $280,490 | $134.85 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Dentists, General | $171,740 | $82.57 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $168,080 | $80.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| Veterinarian | $124,330 | $59.78 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,360 | $21.81 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, 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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for optometrists in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $118,030 a year, or $56.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $159,620 a year. The top 25% earn $139,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,790 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $100,390 or less.
How many optometrists work in Traverse City, MI?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.