Optometrist Hourly Pay in Vernon, CT: $70.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Vernon, CT runs $70.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,469 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Vernon's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,877 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vernon, Connecticut, the hourly pay for optometrists is projected to reach a median of $70.41 in 2026, outperforming the national median of $67.60. This rate is particularly enticing for both part-time and per-diem optometrists, who may work in common settings such as private optometry exam rooms and retail optical chains. For those considering part-time work at three days a week, the potential for steady income is coupled with the flexibility to balance other commitments. The hourly earnings range from $42.34 at the entry-level (P10) to an impressive $97.78 for veteran optometrists at the P90 level, signifying a healthy potential for income growth within different practice settings. Such estimates, derived from annual salary data, reflect the varying scopes of practice and expertise among optometrists in the region.
About the Vernon Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.34 | $338.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.67 | $469.33 |
| Median (P50) | $70.41 | $563.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.29 | $658.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.78 | $782.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vernon
Based on $70.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.41/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vernon, CT can expect to earn approximately $146,462 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,497. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Vernon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vernon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,816.57 | $12,205 | $146,462 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,689.94 | $7,323 | $87,877 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,126.63 | $4,882 | $58,585 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Vernon) | $70.41 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Vernon, CT earn a median of $146,469 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.17% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.50% below the Connecticut state average of $151,781.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.41/hr = $87,877/year (purchasing power: $81,443).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,462/year (purchasing power: $135,738).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Vernon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Vernon grew 18.5% from $57.71/hr (2019) to $68.39/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.50/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vernon metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Vernon
Exploring the earning potential for part-time optometrists, someone working a 24-hour week could expect to bring home considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, yet their hourly rate allows for a satisfying work-life balance. Per-diem opportunities also abound, with fill-in optometrists billing between $500 and $800 per day at retail chains, and specialized positions in OD/MD practices ranging from $700 to $1,200 daily. Furthermore, certain residency-trained ocular disease optometrists at hospital systems can earn anywhere from $90 to $130 per hour. Differences in hourly rates can vary widely depending on the type of employer, from private practices to retail chains like Walmart Vision or LensCrafters. Many optometrists might find themselves negotiating between taking a lower hourly rate for positions with health insurance benefits and higher pay without those perks. In Vernon, knowing how to approach hourly negotiations—focusing on one's unique skill set and local market demand—can be crucial in achieving optimal compensation.
More salary data for Vernon, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Vernon. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Vernon is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov