Optometrist Hourly Pay in Grand Rapids, MI: $66.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Grand Rapids, MI runs $66.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,399 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Grand Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,046 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, the current optometrist hourly pay stands at $66.54, slightly below the national median of $67.60. For those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week in various settings like private optometry clinics or retail optical chains, this pay opens doors to a solid income while affording flexibility. The hourly pay range for optometrists in the area varies substantially; entry-level positions typically start at $48.44, while the highest earners can make up to $117.42 per hour. These figures reflect official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projected for 2026, illustrating the competitive nature of compensation within this profession, especially in an evolving market influenced by ongoing changes in the optometry field.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.44 | $387.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.67 | $493.38 |
| Median (P50) | $66.54 | $532.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.17 | $657.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117.42 | $939.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Rapids
Based on $66.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.54/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Rapids, MI can expect to earn approximately $138,410 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,852. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,661.72 | $11,534 | $138,410 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,597.03 | $6,920 | $83,046 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,064.69 | $4,614 | $55,364 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Grand Rapids) | $66.54 |
| 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 Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $138,399 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.57% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.50% above the Michigan state average of $137,710.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.54/hr = $83,046/year (purchasing power: $86,917).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,410/year (purchasing power: $144,862).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$60.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Grand Rapids grew 7.4% from $60.17/hr (2019) to $64.63/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.51/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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids
Engaging in part-time work as an optometrist can significantly affect annual take-home income. A practitioner working just three days per week might earn around $83,000 annually, contrasting sharply with the full-time average. Per diem optometrists in Grand Rapids often command substantial daily rates, with typical pay ranging from $500 to $800 per day at retail chains, and can go as high as $1,200 per day in OD/MD practices. Meanwhile, different work environments can impact hourly rates. Private practice optometrists may find themselves accepting lower hourly wages compared to larger retail chains in exchange for benefits like health insurance, which isn't uncommon for those in smaller practices. Understanding these nuances could help optometrists negotiate their hourly pay in Grand Rapids effectively, particularly by leveraging their training, such as residency credentials, and knowing how to present their specialized skills in glaucoma and minor surgical procedures in conversations with prospective employers.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids. 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