Optometrist Hourly Pay in Columbus, GA: $60.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Columbus, GA runs $60.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,436 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,259 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, GA, optometrists earn a median hourly pay of $60.30, which falls below the national median of $67.60 per hour. For those considering part-time or per-diem roles, this hourly rate provides a solid income option. A typical part-time schedule of three days per week means that an optometrist could earn around $46,425 annually, assuming a 24-hour workweek. The hourly pay ranges from $38.81 for entry-level positions to about $88.27 for more experienced optometrists. These positions are commonly found in various settings, including private practices, retail optical chains, and healthcare facilities like VA medical centers or university clinics. The official data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS information and projected to 2026, indicates that there’s room for flexibility in how practitioners can choose to manage their work hours and income strategies.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.81 | $310.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.99 | $415.96 |
| Median (P50) | $60.30 | $482.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.53 | $532.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.27 | $706.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $60.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.30/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, GA can expect to earn approximately $125,432 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,364. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,412.15 | $10,453 | $125,432 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,447.29 | $6,272 | $75,259 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $964.86 | $4,181 | $50,173 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Columbus) | $60.30 |
| 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 Columbus, GA earn a median of $125,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.79% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 6.60% below the Georgia state average of $134,300.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.30/hr = $75,259/year (purchasing power: $84,280).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,432/year (purchasing power: $140,467).
CoL index: 89.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Columbus grew 18.5% from $49.43/hr (2019) to $58.57/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.09/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
When analyzing the earning potential for optometrists in Columbus, part-time roles yield varying benefits compared to full-time positions. For instance, a part-time practitioner working just three days a week may find the trade-off for working fewer hours worthwhile, but may also miss out on benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off that a full-time role might provide. Per diem opportunities are particularly lucrative; such optometrists can command an impressive $500-$800 daily at retail optical chains or even $700-$1,200 for shifts in OD/MD practices. Residency-trained ocular disease specialists in hospital systems can bill at rates between $90-$130 hourly, which reveals the disparity in compensation based on specialty and employer type across Columbus. As competition heats up, savvy practitioners should negotiate thoughtfully; knowing average pay rates, understanding the value of benefits, and recognizing the differences in employer demands are crucial as one navigates the evolving landscape of optometry work in GA.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
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 Columbus. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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