Optometrist Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $82.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Dover, DE runs $82.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $170,564 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $84.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,333 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Dover, Delaware, can expect a median hourly pay of $82.00, significantly higher than the national median of $67.60. This competitive hourly rate makes it appealing for part-time optometrists who might work three days a week, as well as for those considering per-diem roles in various clinical settings such as retail optical chains, private practices, and VA outpatient eye clinics. With hourly earnings ranging from $50.99 at the entry-level to $100.41 for top earners, these figures represent official Bureau of Labor Statistics projections based on 2025 data, anticipated to reflect the evolving demand for optometrist services in DE. The availability of diverse employment settings also affects pay scales, helping graduates from AOA-accredited schools or those holding residency training to command higher rates due to their extended scope of practice.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.99 | $407.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66.98 | $535.80 |
| Median (P50) | $82.00 | $655.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93.30 | $746.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.41 | $803.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $82.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.00/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $170,554 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,397. With a cost-of-living index of 97.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,279.89 | $14,213 | $170,554 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,967.94 | $8,528 | $102,333 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,311.96 | $5,685 | $68,222 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Dover) | $82.00 |
| 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 Dover, DE earn a median of $170,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.30% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 19.30% above the Delaware state average of $142,970.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.00/hr = $102,333/year (purchasing power: $104,949).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $170,554/year (purchasing power: $174,915).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$67.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $68.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Dover grew 18.5% from $67.21/hr (2019) to $79.64/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.42/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 Dover 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 Dover
When evaluating part-time optometrist earnings, a practitioner working 24 hours weekly may still secure a respectable income, considerably less than a full-time clinician but still viable for those valuing flexibility. For instance, part-time optometrists may earn approximately $89,856 annually, while per diem optometrists can potentially bill between $500 and $800 per day at retail locations and $700 to $1,200 per day in specialty practices. Due to the variety of employer types in Dover—ranging from private optometry to retail chains like LensCrafters and medical facilities—hourly rates can vary widely. Some professionals may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, while others, particularly those working per diem, may prioritize higher hourly wages. Negotiating compensation requires understanding these dynamics, particularly in a changing job market influenced by practice expansions and acquisition trends in the optometry field within Delaware.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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 Dover. 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, 3-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