Optometrist Hourly Pay in Northport, AL: $58.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Northport, AL runs $58.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,691 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Northport's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,419 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected optometrist hourly pay in Northport, Alabama, stands at $58.03, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $67.60. This figure highlights the financial considerations for part-time and per-diem workers in this field. An optometrist working three days a week would earn approximately $45,000 annually, while per-diem optometrists often receive compensation that varies widely. For example, those filling in at retail optical chains might earn between $500 and $800 per day, whereas practice fill-ins could bill from $700 to $1,200, with residency-trained ocular specialists potentially receiving $90 to $130 per hour. The hourly rate range in Northport extends from $33.66 at the lower end to $82.01 for top earners, showing clear opportunities for growth and diverse income levels depending on experience and practice settings.
About the Northport Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.66 | $269.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.62 | $364.97 |
| Median (P50) | $58.03 | $464.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.54 | $548.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.01 | $656.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Northport
Based on $58.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.03/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Northport, AL can expect to earn approximately $120,699 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,634. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Northport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Northport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,321.13 | $10,058 | $120,699 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,392.68 | $6,035 | $72,419 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $928.45 | $4,023 | $48,280 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Northport) | $58.03 |
| 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 Northport, AL earn a median of $120,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.17% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.40% below the Alabama state average of $123,659.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.03/hr = $72,419/year (purchasing power: $82,388).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,699/year (purchasing power: $137,314).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Northport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Northport grew 18.5% from $47.56/hr (2019) to $56.36/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.75/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 Northport 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 Northport
Part-time optometrists in Northport must weigh their options carefully, as the difference in pay can be substantial when compared to full-time positions. For instance, a 24-hour work week would net an optometrist around $48,000 annually, a stark contrast to what full-time colleagues might earn. Per diem opportunities often attract practitioners seeking flexibility; they provide the chance to earn more on a daily basis but lack benefits such as health insurance. The type of employer significantly impacts hourly pay—private practices tend to offer a different compensation structure compared to retail optical chains or legal requirements in VA and military settings. When negotiating, optometrists should be strategic, weighing the benefits of more stable pay against a potentially higher hourly rate that comes without additional perks. Understanding how variations in employer type affect overall earnings can lead to more informed career choices in Northport's evolving optometry market.
More salary data for Northport, AL:
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 Northport. 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 Northport 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