Optometrists pay range in South Bend
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,100 a year or less, while the top 10% make $177,010 or more. The middle half of optometrists in South Bend earn between $103,360 and $163,740.
- $78K10th
- $103K25th
- $138KMedian
- $164K75th
- $177K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $134,440 | $11,203 | $64.63 |
| Median | $138,360 | $11,530 | $66.52 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $103,360 | $8,613 | $49.69 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $163,740 | $13,645 | $78.72 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Optometrists pay in South Bend vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Optometrists in South Bend earn about the same as the Indiana average ($137,020) and 5% less than the U.S. average ($141,550). At the median the gap is +1% against the U.S. median of $136,570.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | $134,440 | $138,360 | $78,100 | $177,010 | 30 |
| Indiana | $137,020 | $135,500 | $76,860 | $193,270 | 1,040 |
| United States | $141,550 | $136,570 | $74,870 | $202,180 | 42,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Optometrists salary after taxes in South Bend
On the average salary of $134,440, a single filer in South Bend takes home about $96,817 a year, or $8,068 a month and $3,724 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in MI | $97,689 | $8,141 |
| Working in IN | $96,817 | $8,068 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Is South Bend a good place for optometrists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the South Bend area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $134,440 buys what about $144,780 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 3.0 times the median wage of all jobs in South Bend ($46,540). A typical home costs $238,866, or 1.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Optometrists salary in other Indiana cities
South Bend ranks 2nd of 5 Indiana metro areas for this job; Indianapolis pays the most ($138,990).
- Indianapolis$138,990
- South Bend$134,440
- Lafayette$133,660
- Evansville$132,150
- Fort Wayne$131,890
Highest-paying cities for optometrists
Roanoke, VA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($219,610).
- Roanoke, VA$219,610
- Wilmington, NC$204,680
- Trenton, NJ$186,160
- Fort Collins, CO$183,350
- Santa Rosa, CA$172,860
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Optometrists salary in South Bend: questions
How much do optometrists make an hour in South Bend?
$64.64 an hour on average, and $66.52 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level optometrists salary in South Bend?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,100 a year and the 25th percentile is $103,360, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the optometrists take-home pay in South Bend?
About $96,817 a year ($8,068 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $134,440. Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Do optometrists earn more in South Bend than elsewhere?
The average here is 5% less than the U.S. average for this job ($141,550).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1041; area South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI (43780). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.88, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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