Optometrist Hourly Pay in Baltimore, MD: $71.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Baltimore, MD runs $71.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $148,540 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Baltimore's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,123 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Baltimore, Maryland, earn a median hourly pay of $71.41, which represents a significant advantage over the national median of $67.60. This competitive pay structure enables part-time optometrists, who typically work three days a week, to benefit from a respectable income while maintaining a flexible schedule. Per-diem roles in various settings such as private optometry clinics, retail chains, and outpatient VA eye clinics can also prove financially rewarding, with entry-level positions starting around $24.39 and top earners reaching $85.76. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected into 2026, highlight the range of opportunities available in Baltimore for both full-time and part-time optometrists interested in maximizing their earnings potential.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.39 | $195.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.03 | $256.25 |
| Median (P50) | $71.41 | $571.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.77 | $670.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.76 | $686.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baltimore
Based on $71.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.41/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baltimore, MD can expect to earn approximately $148,539 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,696. With a cost-of-living index of 104.49 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Baltimore.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baltimore
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,856.52 | $12,378 | $148,539 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,713.91 | $7,427 | $89,123 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,142.61 | $4,951 | $59,416 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Baltimore) | $71.41 |
| 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 Baltimore, MD earn a median of $148,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.64% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $153,769.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.41/hr = $89,123/year (purchasing power: $85,296).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $148,539/year (purchasing power: $142,160).
CoL index: 104.487 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$69.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $69.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Baltimore grew 45.2% from $47.77/hr (2019) to $69.36/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.53/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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore
Part-time optometrists working only 24 hours a week can anticipate substantial annual earnings, although these figures will differ from full-time counterparts. Those in per-diem roles or working as locum tenens might see daily rates ranging from $500 to $1,200, depending on the setting. For instance, fill-in positions at retail chains may lot out $500-$800 a day, while specialty ocular disease roles in hospital systems can command between $90-$130 per hour. In Baltimore, hourly rates may fluctuate significantly based on the type of employer—private practices may offer different pay structures compared to retail chains or ophthalmology clinics. Some optometrists may choose roles with lower hourly pay but better benefits, navigating their financial expectations accordingly. As negotiating salary becomes increasingly crucial in this evolving job market, knowing employer types and emphasizing unique skills or experience can lead to greater compensation, especially among those with residency training or advanced practice certifications.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Baltimore. 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