Optometrist Hourly Pay in Albany, GA: $66.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Albany, GA runs $66.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,224 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $75.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,930 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Albany, Georgia offers an attractive optometrist hourly pay rate set at $66.45, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. For those considering part-time work, particularly in environments like private optometry exam rooms or retail optical chains, this hourly wage can lead to significant income, even when working just three days a week. The hourly range for optometrists in Albany spans from $38.85 for entry-level positions up to $72.68 for the highest earners, presenting a variety of financial opportunities for professionals in the field. The data is derived from BLS estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, making these figures reliable for future planning.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.85 | $310.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.90 | $415.22 |
| Median (P50) | $66.45 | $531.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.45 | $531.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.68 | $581.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $66.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.45/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, GA can expect to earn approximately $138,217 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,740. With a cost-of-living index of 87.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,658.02 | $11,518 | $138,217 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,594.81 | $6,911 | $82,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.21 | $4,607 | $55,287 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Albany) | $66.45 |
| 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 Albany, GA earn a median of $138,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.00% above the Georgia state average of $134,198.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.45/hr = $82,930/year (purchasing power: $94,595).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,217/year (purchasing power: $157,658).
CoL index: 87.669 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Albany grew 16.0% from $55.66/hr (2019) to $64.54/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.42/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 Albany 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 Albany
When examining the financial prospects for part-time optometrists working in Albany, those who choose to work three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to take home around $67,000 annually, which provides a solid income without full-time commitment. Moreover, per diem optometrists can earn between $500 to $1,200 a day, depending on their setting. This flexibility allows for various combinations of hourly rates and schedules, depending on whether you work in retail chains, ophthalmology practices, or VA medical centers. Understanding how hourly rates differ between employer types is crucial; some optometrists will accept lower pay in exchange for health benefits. Negotiation remains essential, particularly in a city like Albany, where the market is constantly evolving due to changes in practice ownership and scope-of-practice regulations.
More salary data for Albany, GA:
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 Albany. 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, 6-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