Optometrist Hourly Pay in Valdosta, GA: $63.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Valdosta, GA runs $63.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,498 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Valdosta's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,499 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Valdosta, Georgia, the projected median hourly pay for optometrists is $63.70, which falls below the national average of $67.60. This hourly rate provides flexibility for part-time at 24 hours a week, translating to approximately $80,000 annually, while per-diem work in retail or clinical settings can result in higher daily earnings. Optometrists in this region can expect earnings that range from $37.38 at the entry-level to about $95.45 for those in prime positions within private practices, retail chains, or educational institutions. Given the various settings such as private exam rooms, optical chains, and VA clinics, the figures are reflective of annual salary data converted to hourly rates.
About the Valdosta 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) | $37.38 | $299.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.40 | $419.17 |
| Median (P50) | $63.70 | $509.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.19 | $625.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.45 | $763.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Valdosta
Based on $63.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.70/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Valdosta, GA can expect to earn approximately $132,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,442. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Valdosta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Valdosta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,548.05 | $11,042 | $132,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,528.83 | $6,625 | $79,499 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,019.22 | $4,417 | $53,000 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Valdosta) | $63.70 |
| 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 Valdosta, GA earn a median of $132,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.77% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.30% below the Georgia state average of $134,243.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.70/hr = $79,499/year (purchasing power: $85,391).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,499/year (purchasing power: $142,319).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Valdosta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Valdosta grew 18.5% from $52.21/hr (2019) to $61.87/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.59/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 Valdosta 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 Valdosta
Part-time optometrists working three days a week will find their take-home annually significantly lower than full-time counterparts, although they may benefit from a better work-life balance. Per-diem optometrists in Valdosta frequently bill $500 to $800 daily at retail chains, while those in OD/MD practices can earn between $700 and $1,200 per day. Variability in hourly rates arises depending on employer type; for instance, solo practices typically offer lower pay than larger optometry groups or hospital settings, which may compensate better for residency-trained professionals. When negotiating, it’s important to consider not only base pay but also whether a position includes benefits, as lower hourly rates may be accompanied by health insurance and retirement plans. Optometrists should assess what is most valuable for their situation—whether immediate pay or long-term benefits—while seeking opportunities in Valdosta.
More salary data for Valdosta, 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 Valdosta. 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 Valdosta 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