Optometrist Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $68.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in South Bend, IN runs $68.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,455 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,474 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In South Bend, Indiana, the median hourly pay for optometrists is projected to be $68.49 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $67.60. This competitive rate offers flexibility and substantial earnings potential for those working part-time or in per-diem positions. Part-time optometrists, working three days a week, enjoy the opportunity to balance professional duties with personal life while still achieving a solid income in a variety of settings, including private practices, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics. With hourly wages ranging from $38.66 for entry-level positions to $87.62 for top earners, the pay structure reflects both experience and the specific practice environment within the region. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.66 | $309.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.16 | $409.29 |
| Median (P50) | $68.49 | $547.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.05 | $648.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.62 | $700.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $68.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.49/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $142,457 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,187. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,739.56 | $11,871 | $142,457 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,643.74 | $7,123 | $85,474 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,095.82 | $4,749 | $56,983 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (South Bend) | $68.49 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $142,455 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.31% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% above the Indiana state average of $138,845.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.49/hr = $85,474/year (purchasing power: $92,048).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,457/year (purchasing power: $153,414).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in South Bend grew 18.5% from $56.14/hr (2019) to $66.52/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.52/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
Assessing the financial prospects for part-time and per-diem optometrists reveals some interesting dynamics in South Bend's employment market. A three-day workweek at 24 hours results in a take-home pay that could vary significantly compared to a traditional full-time commitment. Per-diem optometrists can command rates between $500-$800 per day at retail outlets and can earn as much as $1,200 daily at specialized practices. This flexibility presents unique opportunities, but deciding between higher hourly rates and the benefits associated with full-time positions, such as health insurance, can be challenging. The hourly rates experienced by optometrists often differ based on their workplace, with private practices typically offering lower hourly compensation compared to larger retail chains or hospitals. Those negotiating compensation would do well to consider their long-term financial and professional goals in relation to these variances, ensuring they align their work schedule and employer type with their identified career path within optometry in South Bend.
More salary data for South Bend, 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 South Bend. 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, 5-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