Optometrist Hourly Pay in Marion, IN: $64.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Marion, IN runs $64.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,166 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Marion's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,502 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marion, Indiana, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $64.50, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. For practitioners working part-time, such as those in private optometry exam rooms or retail optical settings, this pay can provide a solid income, particularly when considering a three-day work week. With the typical hourly pay range for optometrists in Marion starting at $38.90 for entry-level positions and going up to $89.67 for experienced top earners, flexibility can be a significant advantage. This disparity allows optometrists to choose between various practice environments, including university teaching clinics or VA outpatient facilities, depending on their desired work-life balance and financial goals. Hourly rates such as these are derived from annual salary projections, emphasizing the potential earning strategies available to optometrists in the area.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.90 | $311.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.83 | $430.62 |
| Median (P50) | $64.50 | $516.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.43 | $603.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.67 | $717.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Marion
Based on $64.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.50/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Marion, IN can expect to earn approximately $134,169 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,405. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Marion.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Marion
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,580.18 | $11,181 | $134,169 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,548.11 | $6,708 | $80,502 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,032.07 | $4,472 | $53,668 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Marion) | $64.50 |
| 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 Marion, IN earn a median of $134,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $138,888.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.50/hr = $80,502/year (purchasing power: $88,173).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,169/year (purchasing power: $146,954).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Marion grew 18.5% from $52.87/hr (2019) to $62.65/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.41/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 Marion 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 Marion
For those considering part-time or per-diem opportunities, working three days a week could yield an annual income that significantly differs from full-time practices. A part-time optometrist, working about 24 hours per week, might expect to take home around $82,944 annually, compared to the earnings of full-timers. Per-diem optometrists typically see compensation that varies widely based on the practice type; for example, retail chain fill-in positions can pay between $500-$800 per day, while those in ophthalmology practices often earn $700-$1,200. This results in optometrists making anywhere from $90 to $130 per hour when affiliated with hospitals. Additionally, while private practices may offer lower hourly rates, they can provide benefits that higher-paid locum tenens positions lack. Therefore, when negotiating hourly pay in Marion, optometrists should assess their financial objectives versus the benefits offered by employers, ensuring their decisions align with both professional satisfaction and financial viability.
More salary data for Marion, IN:
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 Marion. 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 Marion 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