Optometrist Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $64.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $64.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,220 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,936 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $64.05 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $67.60. This hourly rate offers substantial earning potential for both part-time and per-diem optometrists, who often work in settings such as private optometry offices, retail optical chains, and university clinics. For those working a part-time schedule of three days a week, this equates to a robust income potential, while per-diem workers benefit from flexible hours and competitive daily billing rates ranging from $500 to $1,200, depending on the practice type and specialty. The local hourly range for optometrists spans from $41.07 for entry-level professionals to $88.36 for the highest earners, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 data, projected to 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.07 | $328.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.89 | $367.11 |
| Median (P50) | $64.05 | $512.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.10 | $640.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.36 | $706.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $64.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.05/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $133,227 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,862. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,562.06 | $11,102 | $133,227 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,537.23 | $6,661 | $79,936 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,024.82 | $4,441 | $53,291 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Fort Wayne) | $64.05 |
| 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 Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $133,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.26% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.00% below the Indiana state average of $138,771.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.05/hr = $79,936/year (purchasing power: $86,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,227/year (purchasing power: $143,917).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Fort Wayne grew 15.4% from $53.89/hr (2019) to $62.21/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.95/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 Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne
Beyond the basic pay structure, considerations about part-time versus full-time work can shape an optometrist's economic outlook in Fort Wayne. A part-time optometrist working 24 hours a week may earn significantly less annually compared to a full-time practitioner, despite maintaining a similar hourly rate. Per-diem or agency optometrists, who might command higher daily rates, trade job security and benefits for flexibility, which can be appealing especially for those looking to balance work with other commitments. The hourly rates also reflect employer types; for instance, private practices may offer lower pay compared to retail chains that could provide better benefits. New practitioners need to navigate negotiations carefully, recognizing that accepting a lower rate in exchange for health insurance and a stable schedule might be justified against purely higher hourly wages without benefits. In this dynamic field, marked by evolving scopes of practice and shifts within the industry, understanding these financial variables becomes essential for a career in optometry in Fort Wayne.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
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 Fort Wayne. 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, 7-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