Optometrist Hourly Pay in Lafayette, IN: $66.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Lafayette, IN runs $66.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,821 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,290 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $66.74 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $67.60. This figure reflects the earning potential for optometrists in various settings such as private practices, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient eye clinics. Those working part-time, for instance, in a three-day work schedule, can enjoy a comfortable income while balancing professional and personal commitments. For entry-level positions, hourly wages begin at approximately $36.29, while experienced professionals can reach up to $95.71 per hour. According to data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS reports and projected to 2026, this landscape represents the current financial viability of a career in optometry within Lafayette.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.29 | $290.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.11 | $416.86 |
| Median (P50) | $66.74 | $533.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.33 | $618.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.71 | $765.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $66.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.74/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $138,816 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,086. With a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,669.55 | $11,568 | $138,816 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,601.73 | $6,941 | $83,290 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,067.82 | $4,627 | $55,527 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Lafayette) | $66.74 |
| 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 Lafayette, IN earn a median of $138,821 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.27% lower than the national median of $140,612.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.74/hr = $83,290/year (purchasing power: $89,147).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,816/year (purchasing power: $148,578).
CoL index: 93.43 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Lafayette grew 18.5% from $54.70/hr (2019) to $64.82/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.71/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
Optometrists considering part-time roles can expect to take home a substantially different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, those working three days a week (around 24 hours) may earn roughly $82,972 annually, which still represents a healthy income. Per diem and agency optometrists have the opportunity for competitive daily pay, often ranging from $500 to $1,200 based on employer type. In Lafayette, the earnings can vary widely, with solo private practices potentially offering lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits, while larger institutions and retail chains may provide hourly wages that reflect the trade-off between benefits and pay. Negotiating these differences is vital; being informed about typical pay scales in Lafayette, alongside understanding the specific needs and preferences of different employer types, can greatly enhance job satisfaction and financial wellbeing for optometrists at different stages of their careers.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Lafayette in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Lafayette?
Are optometrists in Lafayette paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Lafayette?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Lafayette?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 Lafayette. 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