Optometrist Hourly Pay in Roswell, GA: $62.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Roswell, GA runs $62.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,635 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Roswell's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,777 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Roswell, Georgia, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to reach $62.32 in 2026. This figure falls below the national median hourly rate of $67.60, indicating a slight variance that may influence the decision for professionals considering part-time roles or per-diem positions. For those working three days a week, which typically amounts to around 24 hours, earnings can still be significant. Entry-level optometrists may expect to start closer to $36.15, while more experienced optometrists, particularly those specializing in areas such as ocular disease or practicing in team settings, have the potential to earn up to $93.22 per hour. These hourly rates reflect the unique environments in which optometrists operate in Roswell, including private practices, retail optical chains, and specialized clinics.
About the Roswell Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.15 | $289.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.80 | $398.41 |
| Median (P50) | $62.32 | $498.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.40 | $611.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.22 | $745.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Roswell
Based on $62.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.32/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Roswell, GA can expect to earn approximately $129,629 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,786. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Roswell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Roswell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,492.87 | $10,802 | $129,629 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,495.72 | $6,481 | $77,777 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $997.15 | $4,321 | $51,852 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Roswell) | $62.32 |
| 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 Roswell, GA earn a median of $129,635 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.81% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.40% below the Georgia state average of $134,198.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.32/hr = $77,777/year (purchasing power: $83,542).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,629/year (purchasing power: $139,236).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Roswell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Roswell grew 18.5% from $51.08/hr (2019) to $60.53/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.17/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 Roswell 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 Roswell
Examining the potential annual income from part-time or per-diem work reveals interesting trends. A part-time optometrist in Roswell, working three days a week, can take home approximately $48,000 annually while maintaining balance in their professional and personal lives. Alternatively, per-diem optometrists can command daily rates from $500 to $800 at retail chains, while OD/MD practices pay between $700 and $1,200 daily, providing lucrative opportunities for those with flexible schedules. Rates can differ considerably based on the employer, with retail chains typically offering lower hourly pay than private optometry practices or specialized medical centers. Given recent trends in the optometry field, where practice consolidation has become common, many optometrists find themselves weighing the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits against the security of full-time roles that offer health insurance. Negotiating pay in Roswell often involves understanding these dynamics and leveraging one’s specialty, experience, and the current job market, particularly as the demand for expanded scope practices grows.
More salary data for Roswell, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Roswell in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Roswell. 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 Roswell 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