Optometrist Hourly Pay in Springfield, MA: $67.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Springfield, MA runs $67.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $140,726 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Springfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.1, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,433 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, Massachusetts, the median hourly pay for optometrists is projected to be $67.66 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $67.60. This competitive rate provides a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem optometrists, particularly those working in various settings such as private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and hospital environments. For example, an optometrist working part-time three days a week could expect to take home a meaningful income, with entry-level professionals earning around $41.94 hourly and top earners reaching up to $86.95. These figures reflect official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, highlighting the earning potential in the Springfield area for those pursuing a career in optometry.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.94 | $335.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.91 | $439.27 |
| Median (P50) | $67.66 | $541.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.28 | $626.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.95 | $695.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Springfield
Based on $67.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.66/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Springfield, MA can expect to earn approximately $140,722 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,186. With a cost-of-living index of 96.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Springfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Springfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,706.20 | $11,727 | $140,722 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,623.72 | $7,036 | $84,433 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,082.48 | $4,691 | $56,289 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Springfield) | $67.66 |
| 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 Springfield, MA earn a median of $140,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 9.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $154,984.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.66/hr = $84,433/year (purchasing power: $87,896).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,722/year (purchasing power: $146,493).
CoL index: 96.061 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$59.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Springfield grew 10.0% from $59.76/hr (2019) to $65.71/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.66/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 Springfield 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 Springfield
Analyzing the earnings landscape further reveals that a part-time optometrist working 24 hours a week can still expect a substantial annual income, although less than their full-time counterparts. The per diem optometrist pay in Springfield varies widely, with fill-in optometrists typically billing $500 to $800 per day at retail chains and $700 to $1,200 in OD/MD practices. Residency-trained ocular disease ODs might command $90 to $130 per hour at hospital systems, showcasing a significant variability in hourly compensation based on employment type. In Springfield, optometrists in retail settings might earn lower hourly rates but gain access to benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating for better pay should include consideration of these benefits, and the regional differences in pay scale should be well understood to ensure competitive compensation, particularly in the evolving landscape of optometry where practices are increasingly influenced by market dynamics.
More salary data for Springfield, MA:
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 Springfield. 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