Optometrist Hourly Pay in East Lansing, MI: $64.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in East Lansing, MI runs $64.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,443 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against East Lansing's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,065 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Lansing, Michigan, the optometrist hourly pay is set at a median of $64.15. This figure falls slightly below the national hourly median of $67.60, illustrating a unique local economic environment. For part-time or per-diem optometrists, who often work in settings such as private practice exam rooms or retail optical chains, this hourly wage allows for a flexible work schedule while still providing competitive compensation. For example, entry-level optometrists might earn around $38.25, whereas experienced professionals in the upper echelon can command $95.01 per hour. The hourly pay structure allows for a variety of arrangements, whether it's working three days a week or engaging in per-diem roles, which help many practitioners balance work-life without losing out on financial stability, driven largely by estimates derived from annual salary data.
About the East Lansing Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.25 | $306.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.17 | $425.35 |
| Median (P50) | $64.15 | $513.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.64 | $597.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.01 | $760.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Lansing
Based on $64.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.15/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Lansing, MI can expect to earn approximately $133,441 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,985. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in East Lansing.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Lansing
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,566.18 | $11,120 | $133,441 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,539.71 | $6,672 | $80,065 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,026.47 | $4,448 | $53,376 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (East Lansing) | $64.15 |
| 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 East Lansing, MI earn a median of $133,443 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.10% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.10% below the Michigan state average of $137,712.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.15/hr = $80,065/year (purchasing power: $85,906).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,441/year (purchasing power: $143,177).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in East Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in East Lansing grew 18.5% from $52.58/hr (2019) to $62.31/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.05/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 East Lansing 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 East Lansing
Part-time optometrists in East Lansing, working, for instance, three days a week or approximately 24 hours, may find their annual earnings notably different from a full-time schedule. Depending on the chosen practice setting, such as private optometry offices versus retail chains, the pay can vary significantly. Per-diem arrangements are common; many opometrists bill between $500 and $800 per day at retail chains, while those stepping in for OD/MD practices can see daily rates from $700 to $1,200. Specializations like residency-trained ocular disease ODs at hospital systems can command $90 to $130 hourly, spotlighting the benefits of additional training. For many, choosing positions with lower hourly rates can be offset by the inclusion of health benefits, leading to crucial negotiations where higher hourly pay may come with a lack of benefits. Optometrists in East Lansing should consider these factors, focusing on their individual needs and market dynamics when discussing compensation.
More salary data for East Lansing, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in East Lansing in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in East Lansing?
Are optometrists in East Lansing paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in East Lansing?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in East Lansing?
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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 East Lansing. 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 East Lansing 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