Optometrist Hourly Pay in Hartford, CT: $74.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Hartford, CT runs $74.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $154,790 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Hartford's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.7, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $92,876 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hartford, Connecticut, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a median of $74.42, significantly outpacing the national median of $67.60. This competitive rate reflects the high demand for optometrists in various settings, including private practices, retail optical chains, and specialized medical facilities. For part-time or per-diem workers, this means that practicing part-time, say for three days a week, can yield substantial income, providing a comfortable living even outside of full-time commitments. Entry-level optometrists may earn around $49.42, while experienced professionals can reach up to $78.51 per hour, highlighting a potential for growth within the field. Official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics underscores how these rates contribute to an alluring job market for optometrists in Hartford.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.42 | $395.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.15 | $537.20 |
| Median (P50) | $74.42 | $595.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.65 | $613.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.51 | $628.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hartford
Based on $74.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $74.42/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hartford, CT can expect to earn approximately $154,793 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $89,303. With a cost-of-living index of 102.75 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hartford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hartford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,976.78 | $12,899 | $154,793 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,786.07 | $7,740 | $92,876 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,190.71 | $5,160 | $61,917 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Hartford) | $74.42 |
| 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 Hartford, CT earn a median of $154,790 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.08% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.00% above the Connecticut state average of $151,755.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $74.42/hr = $92,876/year (purchasing power: $90,393).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $154,793/year (purchasing power: $150,656).
CoL index: 102.746 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$97.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$72.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$74.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-21.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Hartford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $69.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $72.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Hartford grew -25.7% from $97.25/hr (2019) to $72.28/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $76.62/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 Hartford 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 Hartford
Considering part-time work, those consulting for three days a week can expect to take home approximately $92,765 annually, which can be an appealing alternative to full-time positions. Per diem optometrists in Hartford can billing anywhere from $500 to $800 per day at retail chains or up to $1,200 daily in more specialized OD/MD practices. On the other hand, residency-trained ocular disease ODs working in hospital systems might earn between $90 and $130 as independent contractors. Compensation can vary significantly across employers, such as solo and group practices versus larger retail chains like Walmart Vision or those affiliated with military health systems. Some optometrists may choose lower hourly rates for enhanced benefits, such as health insurance, demonstrating a common trade-off in this profession. Part-time workers or those in per-diem roles should negotiate effectively by emphasizing their flexibility and skills, adapting to the evolving scope of practice in optometry in Hartford.
More salary data for Hartford, CT:
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 Hartford. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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