Optometrist Hourly Pay in Albany, NY: $81.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Albany, NY runs $81.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $168,875 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $81.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $101,318 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, NY, optometrists earn a median hourly rate of $81.18, significantly higher than the national average of $67.60 per hour. This notable wage opens various doors for both part-time and per-diem professionals in the field. Typically, part-time optometrists working three days a week could expect a solid income, while per-diem optometrists might find opportunities in various clinical settings, including private practices, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics. The hourly pay ranges from $32.65 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $95.84 for experienced optometrists, demonstrating the potential for significant earnings in this line of work, as indicated by projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.65 | $261.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.40 | $459.20 |
| Median (P50) | $81.18 | $649.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.49 | $691.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.84 | $766.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $81.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.18/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, NY can expect to earn approximately $168,863 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $97,421. With a cost-of-living index of 99.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,247.36 | $14,072 | $168,863 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,948.42 | $8,443 | $101,318 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,298.94 | $5,629 | $67,545 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Albany) | $81.18 |
| 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 Albany, NY earn a median of $168,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.10% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.60% above the New York state average of $166,216.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.18/hr = $101,318/year (purchasing power: $101,759).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $168,863/year (purchasing power: $169,599).
CoL index: 99.566 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$67.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Albany grew 17.0% from $67.41/hr (2019) to $78.85/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.59/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 Albany 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 Albany
Considering the earning potential for part-time optometrists, working a typical schedule of 24 hours over three days could yield an annual income that varies widely depending on the specific employment setting. Many optometrists in Albany may choose per-diem arrangements which can pay between $500 and $1,200 daily, allowing them to maximize their earnings while maintaining flexibility. Employment at private practices or retail chains often presents differing pay scales; some retail optical chains offer lower hourly rates but may provide essential health benefits, while private practices might offer higher rates without additional perks. For those positioned as residency-trained ocular disease specialists or those in hospital systems, the per diem approach could yield even higher compensation of $90 to $130 per hour. Negotiating effectively is crucial, especially in a market like Albany where demand is growing by 2.96% annually. Optometrists should strategically weigh their options by considering both hourly pay and benefits when deciding their career path.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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 Albany. 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