Optometrist Hourly Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $67.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY runs $67.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,737 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Louisville/Jefferson County's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,842 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Louisville/Jefferson County, the optometrist hourly pay averages $67.18, which closely aligns with the national median of $67.60 per hour. This competitive rate is beneficial for part-time optometrists working three days a week, allowing them to comfortably earn while accommodating flexible schedules in various settings such as private practices, retail optical chains, and hospital clinics. Entry-level optometrists begin at approximately $47.70 per hour, with top earners reaching up to $97.68 per hour. The diversity in work environments—from bustling chain locations to quieter private practices—offers unique opportunities for different earning potentials, making it feasible for professionals to tailor their career paths according to their preferences and personal commitments. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, anticipated for 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.70 | $381.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.18 | $505.41 |
| Median (P50) | $67.18 | $537.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.04 | $632.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.68 | $781.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville/Jefferson County
Based on $67.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.18/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY can expect to earn approximately $139,737 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,618. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville/Jefferson County
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,687.26 | $11,645 | $139,737 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,612.35 | $6,987 | $83,842 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,074.90 | $4,658 | $55,895 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Louisville/Jefferson County) | $67.18 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $139,737 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.62% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 11.30% above the Kentucky state average of $125,550.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.18/hr = $83,842/year (purchasing power: $90,081).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,737/year (purchasing power: $150,136).
CoL index: 93.074 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+62.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 52.9% from $42.67/hr (2019) to $65.25/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.17/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 Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County
A part-time optometrist in Louisville/Jefferson County working three days a week would generate a significant annual income, totaling approximately $83,890, compared to a full-time optometrist’s expected earnings. For per diem or locum tenens optometrists, the financial landscape varies widely; typical daily rates range from $500 to $1,200 depending on the type of practice and responsibilities involved. Private optometry practices may offer lower hourly rates compared to retail optical chains, which often have more flexible compensation structures. While some optometrists may accept lower pay for the security of benefits, others prioritize higher hourly wages without additional perks. It's essential for optometrists in this market to be strong negotiators, clearly understanding their worth and the value they bring to potential employers across the diverse practices in Louisville/Jefferson County. Exploring different employer types, especially as the scope of practice expands in Kentucky, can also influence one's earning capacity significantly.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Louisville/Jefferson County in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Are optometrists in Louisville/Jefferson County paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville/Jefferson County?
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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 Louisville/Jefferson County. 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, 7-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