Optometrist Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $65.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Louisville, KY runs $65.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,898 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,133 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the projected median optometrist hourly pay is set at $65.81, slightly below the national median of $67.60. This rate provides a competitive wage for part-time workers, especially those able to work in diverse settings such as private optometry offices, retail chain mall locations, and VA outpatient clinics. For optometrists who work part-time—averaging three days per week—this translates to earnings that can be quite substantial when considering flexible schedules or per-diem opportunities. Entry-level professionals can expect to earn around $38.18 per hour, while those at the top of their field may command $100.90 per hour, showcasing a wide range in pay based on experience and work environment.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.18 | $305.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.95 | $399.57 |
| Median (P50) | $65.81 | $526.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.16 | $649.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.90 | $807.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $65.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.81/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $136,889 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,974. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,632.48 | $11,407 | $136,889 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,579.49 | $6,844 | $82,133 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,052.99 | $4,563 | $54,756 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Louisville) | $65.81 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $136,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $125,594.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.81/hr = $82,133/year (purchasing power: $91,975).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,889/year (purchasing power: $153,291).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Louisville grew 18.5% from $53.94/hr (2019) to $63.92/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.76/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
Part-time optometrists in Louisville who work a typical schedule of 24 hours per week can expect to take home around $82,205 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still a competitive figure in the market. Per diem optometrists can thrive in this environment, often billing $500 to $800 daily at retail locations, while those filling in at OD/MD practices could earn between $700 to $1,200 per day. Factors influencing hourly rates include the type of employer: retail optical chains, solo or group private practices, and hospital settings all show distinct pay patterns. As some optometrists sacrifice higher hourly rates for employment that offers health benefits, others may negotiate for higher pay without those perks. Those seeking to optimize their earnings in Louisville can enhance their negotiation tactics by emphasizing their specialized training or unique experiences, particularly in emerging areas of the field such as glaucoma management or minor surgical procedures.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Career Resources
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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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