Optometrist Hourly Pay in Westerville, OH: $65.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Westerville, OH runs $65.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,494 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Westerville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,298 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Westerville, Ohio, offers an optometrist hourly pay of $65.14, slightly lower than the national average of $67.60. This competitive rate provides appealing opportunities for part-time and per-diem optometrists working in diverse settings such as private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and military health systems. Those looking to work part-time at three days a week, or about 24 hours, can expect a significant income, especially compared to the entry-level hourly wage of $37.79. For highly experienced practitioners, the hourly rate can rise to $91.09, reflecting the substantial range available to optometrists in this city. These figures are estimated based on annual salary data, indicating that there are robust earning potentials across the profession even in various practice environments.
About the Westerville Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.79 | $302.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.06 | $416.45 |
| Median (P50) | $65.14 | $521.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.36 | $610.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.09 | $728.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Westerville
Based on $65.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.14/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Westerville, OH can expect to earn approximately $135,497 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,171. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Westerville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Westerville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,605.71 | $11,291 | $135,497 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,563.43 | $6,775 | $81,298 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,042.28 | $4,517 | $54,199 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Westerville) | $65.14 |
| 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 Westerville, OH earn a median of $135,494 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.30% below the Ohio state average of $137,279.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.14/hr = $81,298/year (purchasing power: $89,634).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,497/year (purchasing power: $149,390).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Westerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Westerville grew 18.5% from $53.39/hr (2019) to $63.27/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.07/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 Westerville 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 Westerville
The earning potential for a part-time optometrist treating patients three days a week can be quite substantial. Assuming a 24-hour workweek at the hourly pay, an optometrist might realistically take home around $81,253 annually compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem or agency optometrists further enhance their income by billing between $500 and $800 a day at retail chains or ranging up to $1,200 per day in specialty practices, depending on their training and expertise. The rates vary significantly across employer types in Westerville; while retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks may offer competitive hourly rates without extensive benefits, larger private practices may provide better healthcare packages at a lower rate. Negotiating for better conditions is crucial, especially for hourly workers seeking job satisfaction alongside competitive pay. With expectations of optometry scope expansion, including glaucoma management and advanced procedures in certain states, this evolving field continues to present intriguing options for optometrists seeking both benefits and remuneration.
More salary data for Westerville, OH:
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 Westerville. 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 Westerville 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