Optometrist Hourly Pay in West Lafayette, IN: $65.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in West Lafayette, IN runs $65.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,650 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against West Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,992 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in West Lafayette, Indiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $65.70, slightly below the national hourly median of $67.60. This rate provides a competitive salary for practitioners working in varied environments, including private practice exam rooms, retail optical chain outlets, and university settings. For those considering part-time work, such as a three-day workweek, the potential to earn significantly is still strong; they can expect around $38.39 as a starting wage, with more seasoned professionals earning as much as $96.37 per hour. Given the hourly rates are derived from projected annual salaries, this structure allows flexibility for professionals looking to balance work and personal commitments, making it attractive for those who may prefer or require a less than full-time schedule.
About the West Lafayette 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) | $38.39 | $307.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.87 | $430.95 |
| Median (P50) | $65.70 | $525.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.75 | $638.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.37 | $770.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Lafayette
Based on $65.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.70/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $136,653 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,839. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,627.95 | $11,388 | $136,653 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,576.77 | $6,833 | $81,992 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,051.18 | $4,555 | $54,661 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (West Lafayette) | $65.70 |
| 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 West Lafayette, IN earn a median of $136,650 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.60% below the Indiana state average of $138,871.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.70/hr = $81,992/year (purchasing power: $89,805).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,653/year (purchasing power: $149,675).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in West Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in West Lafayette grew 18.5% from $53.85/hr (2019) to $63.81/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.64/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 West 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 West Lafayette
Evaluating the income potential for optometrists on a part-time basis reveals interesting dynamics. An optometrist working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, would likely bring home around $82,000 annually based on their hourly earnings. For those looking to work per diem, the compensation can be even more lucrative with retail chains typically offering $500 to $800 per day, while positions in OD/MD practices can net between $700 and $1,200. The variation in hourly pay across different employment types in West Lafayette often reflects the trade-off between benefits and pay rates; private practices might offer lower hourly wages but include health insurance, while agencystatus provides higher rates without such perks. Optometrists should be prepared to negotiate effectively, emphasizing their training and experience, especially in a city where the demand for their skills is gradually growing, as highlighted by continuing advancements in the field and various professional organizations like the AOA.
More salary data for West Lafayette, 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 West 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
Salary data for West Lafayette 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