Optometrist Hourly Pay in Brandon, MS: $55.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Brandon, MS runs $55.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,846 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Brandon's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,911 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brandon, Mississippi, the projected median hourly pay for optometrists in 2026 is $55.22. This rate falls short of the national hourly median of $67.60, indicating a significant disparity that may influence local job decisions. For those working part-time, such as a three-day workweek, this equates to about $1,109 weekly, allowing for a comfortable living, although it may not match the income potential of full-time positions. Optometrists in various settings, including private exam rooms, retail chain locations, and VA outpatient clinics, can expect to see an hourly range from $32.02 for entry-level positions up to $80.80 for those at the top end of the pay spectrum. While hourly pay is derived from annual salary estimates, this information is crucial for understanding compensation in the optometry field locally.
About the Brandon Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.02 | $256.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.15 | $361.18 |
| Median (P50) | $55.22 | $441.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.91 | $535.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.80 | $646.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brandon
Based on $55.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.22/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brandon, MS can expect to earn approximately $114,852 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,261. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brandon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brandon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,208.70 | $9,571 | $114,852 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,325.22 | $5,743 | $68,911 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $883.48 | $3,828 | $45,941 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Brandon) | $55.22 |
| 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 Brandon, MS earn a median of $114,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.32% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.70% below the Mississippi state average of $120,510.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.22/hr = $68,911/year (purchasing power: $80,410).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,852/year (purchasing power: $134,017).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Brandon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Brandon grew 18.5% from $45.26/hr (2019) to $53.63/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.85/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 Brandon 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 Brandon
Part-time optometrists in Brandon often find themselves with significant earning potential despite working fewer hours. For instance, someone working a 3-day week, totaling approximately 24 hours, could expect an annual income around $86,350 compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem optometrists can enjoy varied rates of $500-$800 daily in retail settings and even higher, between $700 and $1,200 daily, in OD/MD practice fill-in roles. Additionally, those in specialized roles, such as residency-trained ocular disease ODs, may see compensation rise to $90-$130 per hour within hospital systems. Hourly rates can differ widely across employer types, with private practices sometimes offering lower rates but including benefits like health insurance, which might attract some professionals despite higher-paying roles in retail chains that lack these perks. Those negotiating in Brandon should focus on their unique skills, scope of practice—even with experience in glaucoma management or minor surgical procedures—as they seek fair compensation based on their expertise and the work environment.
More salary data for Brandon, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Brandon in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Brandon?
Are optometrists in Brandon paid hourly or salary?
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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 Brandon. 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 Brandon 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