Optometrist salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Optometrists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $130,710 a year ($62.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,170 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 4% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $135,650. There are 0.31 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,140 | $35.64 |
| 25th percentile | $127,110 | $61.11 |
| Median | $130,710 | $62.84 |
| 75th percentile | $157,010 | $75.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,170 | $100.08 |
| Average (mean) | $137,610 | $66.16 |
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 | $10,892.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,446.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,027.31 |
| Weekly | $2,513.65 |
| Hourly | $62.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $130,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,320 | $40.54 |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,710 | $43.61 |
| Pharmacist | $133,300 | $64.09 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,290 | $147.74 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,310 | $47.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,450 | $62.24 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,230 | $61.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,160 | $42.86 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,530 | $37.76 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $206,110 | $99.09 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,590 | $41.63 |
| Veterinarian | $122,510 | $58.90 |
| Dentists, General | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,480 | $32.44 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for optometrists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $130,710 a year, or $62.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $208,170 a year. The top 25% earn $157,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,140 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $127,110 or less.
How many optometrists work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 70 optometrists are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.