Optometrist Hourly Pay in Merrillville, IN: $64.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Merrillville, IN runs $64.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,164 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Merrillville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,898 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Merrillville, Indiana, the projected median hourly pay for optometrists is $64.02, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $67.60. This hourly rate presents a viable opportunity for those pursuing part-time positions, as a typical 3-day workweek can yield significant returns for optometrists who operate within various settings such as private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and even university teaching clinics. Entry-level positions start around $37.13 per hour, while experienced optometrists in the area can command up to $92.06 hourly, reflecting a wide range of potential earnings. It's crucial to recognize that these hourly rates are estimated based on corresponding annual salary figures, emphasizing the diverse earning potential for optometrists working in Merrillville.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.13 | $297.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.43 | $411.43 |
| Median (P50) | $64.02 | $512.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.79 | $614.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.06 | $736.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrillville
Based on $64.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.02/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrillville, IN can expect to earn approximately $133,163 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,825. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merrillville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrillville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,560.82 | $11,097 | $133,163 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,536.49 | $6,658 | $79,898 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,024.33 | $4,439 | $53,265 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Merrillville) | $64.02 |
| 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 Merrillville, IN earn a median of $133,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $138,858.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.02/hr = $79,898/year (purchasing power: $87,511).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,163/year (purchasing power: $145,852).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Merrillville grew 18.5% from $52.47/hr (2019) to $62.18/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.92/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 Merrillville 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 Merrillville
Focusing specifically on part-time earnings, an optometrist working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, could anticipate an annual take-home closer to $79,497, which is substantially lower than what full-time professionals earn. For those seeking flexible hours, the per diem arrangements can be quite lucrative, with retail chains paying fill-in optometrists between $500 to $800 daily, while private practices might offer $700 to $1,200 per day for fill-in services. Residency-trained ocular disease ODs often see even higher rates, typically billing between $90 and $130 hourly when working as 1099 contractors through hospital systems. Variations in hourly pay are evident across different types of employers in Merrillville, with private optometry practices, retail optical stores, and VA medical centers offering diverse compensation packages. While some optometrists may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, others may pursue higher pay without benefits. When negotiating pay, having a clear understanding of local market rates and emphasizing a unique skill set can be effective strategies for securing better compensation, particularly in a steadily growing field like optometry.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Merrillville in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Merrillville?
Are optometrists in Merrillville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Merrillville?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Merrillville?
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 Merrillville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Merrillville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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