Optometrist Hourly Pay in Flint, MI: $66.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Flint, MI runs $66.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,997 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Flint's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.0, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,802 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Flint, Michigan, optometrists earn a median hourly wage of $66.35, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for part-time optometrists working three days a week, who can expect to earn around $1,600 weekly based on a 24-hour work schedule. The pay for per-diem optometrists can vary significantly, with earnings typically found in private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains such as LensCrafters, and VA outpatient clinics. The local hourly wage ranges, from around $47.90 for entry-level positions to about $111.41 for top earners in the field, reflect the variety of settings in which optometrists operate in Flint, such as hospital systems and university clinics. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026, reflecting an anticipated steady demand for these professionals.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.90 | $383.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.55 | $492.40 |
| Median (P50) | $66.35 | $530.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.02 | $632.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.41 | $891.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Flint
Based on $66.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.35/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Flint, MI can expect to earn approximately $138,003 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,617. With a cost-of-living index of 93.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Flint.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Flint
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,653.90 | $11,500 | $138,003 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,592.34 | $6,900 | $82,802 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,061.56 | $4,600 | $55,201 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Flint) | $66.35 |
| 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 Flint, MI earn a median of $137,997 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.86% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.20% above the Michigan state average of $137,722.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.35/hr = $82,802/year (purchasing power: $89,001).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,003/year (purchasing power: $148,336).
CoL index: 93.034 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Flint (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Flint grew 23.9% from $52.03/hr (2019) to $64.44/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.31/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 Flint 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 Flint
After exploring the earning potential within Flint, a part-time optometrist working three days a week can expect an annual income of approximately $83,200, averaged from the 24-hour work week schedule. For per-diem optometrists, the financial outlook can vary significantly; many in retail locations often bill between $500 and $800 per day, while those filling in at OD/MD practices can earn between $700 and $1,200 per day. Additionally, residency-trained optometrists focusing on ocular disease may command rates as high as $90 to $130 per hour. Employers in Flint offer varying hourly rates depending on practice type—private offices may provide different compensation compared to retail chains or VA medical centers. Despite the potential for higher hourly rates in private practices, many optometrists choose positions with lower pay that offer health benefits, reflecting a common trade-off in the industry. Understanding the nuances of the optometrist hourly pay in Flint can empower professionals to effectively negotiate their pay and choose the right setting for their career goals.
More salary data for Flint, MI:
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 Flint. 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