Optometrist Hourly Pay in Prattville, AL: $58.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Prattville, AL runs $58.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,959 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Prattville's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,573 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Prattville, Alabama, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $58.15 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $67.60 per hour. This rate reflects the factors influencing local pay scales, including the limited number of facilities and the overall cost of living index in the area, which stands at 87.9, below the national average. For part-time optometrists working three days a week, or those taking on per-diem roles, this hourly pay translates into potential earnings that can vary dramatically. Entry-level optometrists might start near $33.73 per hour, while those with more experience in specialized environments could command rates as high as $85.88 per hour. Employers range from private optometry practices to retail optical chains, making the hourly wage reflective of the diverse working environments available.
About the Prattville 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) | $33.73 | $269.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.88 | $367.03 |
| Median (P50) | $58.15 | $465.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.69 | $541.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.88 | $687.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Prattville
Based on $58.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.15/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Prattville, AL can expect to earn approximately $120,956 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,782. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Prattville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Prattville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,326.07 | $10,080 | $120,956 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,395.64 | $6,048 | $72,573 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $930.43 | $4,032 | $48,382 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Prattville) | $58.15 |
| 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 Prattville, AL earn a median of $120,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.98% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.10% below the Alabama state average of $123,554.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.15/hr = $72,573/year (purchasing power: $82,564).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,956/year (purchasing power: $137,606).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Prattville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Prattville grew 18.5% from $47.66/hr (2019) to $56.48/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.87/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 Prattville 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 Prattville
Exploring the earning potential for part-time optometrists reveals that a professional working 24 hours weekly can expect to take home about $72,418 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem optometrists often find themselves in lucrative positions, with daily earnings upwards of $500 to $1,200 depending on the type of practice. Interestingly, those in retail chain settings may see different pay scales compared to private practices, leading to variations in hourly rates across the board. This disparity can result in a trade-off for many optometrists, as individuals weighing higher hourly wages without benefits against lower rates that provide health insurance must carefully consider their personal financial situations. For those negotiating, it’s essential to highlight specialized skills and any residency training as leverage, particularly in Prattville where the demand for experienced optometrists remains steady.
More salary data for Prattville, 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 Prattville. 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 Prattville 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