Optometrist Hourly Pay in Lexington, KY: $68.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Lexington, KY runs $68.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,176 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,898 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lexington, Kentucky, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $68.83 in 2026, surpassing the national hourly median of $67.60. This rate offers substantial opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers in settings such as private optometry practices, retail optical chain locations, and outpatient clinics. For those working three days a week, the ability to earn within a range of $39.06 to $137.05 per hour can lead to a comfortable standard of living. Entry-level optometrists can expect to start closer to the lower end of this spectrum, while more experienced professionals or those specializing in niche areas of optometry could command rates reaching towards the top end, significantly enhancing their financial prospects.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.06 | $312.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.32 | $370.57 |
| Median (P50) | $68.83 | $550.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.95 | $695.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137.05 | $1096.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $68.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.83/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, KY can expect to earn approximately $143,164 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,595. With a cost-of-living index of 92.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,753.15 | $11,930 | $143,164 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,651.89 | $7,158 | $85,898 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,101.26 | $4,772 | $57,266 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Lexington) | $68.83 |
| 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 Lexington, KY earn a median of $143,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.82% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 14.00% above the Kentucky state average of $125,593.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.83/hr = $85,898/year (purchasing power: $92,474).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,164/year (purchasing power: $154,124).
CoL index: 92.889 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$69.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+1.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Lexington grew -4.0% from $69.60/hr (2019) to $66.85/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.87/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
Part-time optometrists, for instance, working a typical schedule of three days per week, may see an annual income considerably less than their full-time counterparts, but they still enjoy a viable income stream. Per diem optometrist pay in Lexington can be particularly lucrative; many fill-in positions at retail chains yield between $500 and $800 daily, while more specialized roles in OD/MD practice can offer pay ranging from $700 to $1,200 each day. Additionally, residency-trained optometrists in ocular disease can secure hourly rates of $90 to $130 working in hospital settings. The differences in hourly compensation often depend on the employer type: those in private practices or group settings might receive less monetary compensation but enjoy the added benefit of health insurance, whereas those in retail positions or casual arrangements may earn higher hourly wages without benefits. When negotiating, optometrists in Lexington should assess their unique situation—balancing desired hourly rates with the potential need for employer-provided perks, a critical factor that can influence job satisfaction and overall financial health.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Lexington in 2026?
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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 Lexington. 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