Optometrist Hourly Pay in Hempstead, NY: $77.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Hempstead, NY runs $77.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $160,482 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Hempstead's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $66.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,293 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hempstead, New York, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a competitive $77.16, notably higher than the national median of $67.60 per hour. This rate signifies a robust compensation structure for part-time and per-diem optometrists working in settings ranging from private examination rooms to retail optical chains and VA outpatient clinics. For those employed three days a week, earning just over $3,067 weekly (assuming 24 hours of work), the financial outlook is promising, as hourly rates can vary significantly. Entry-level positions in Hempstead can expect around $44.75 per hour, while top-tier professionals can command up to $115.27 per hour, reflecting the growing demand for optometrists due to expanded scope-of-practice opportunities within the field.
About the Hempstead Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.75 | $357.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.46 | $491.65 |
| Median (P50) | $77.16 | $617.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.26 | $754.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115.27 | $922.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hempstead
Based on $77.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.16/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hempstead, NY can expect to earn approximately $160,489 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $92,590. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hempstead.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hempstead
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,086.33 | $13,374 | $160,489 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,851.80 | $8,024 | $96,293 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,234.53 | $5,350 | $64,196 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Hempstead) | $77.16 |
| 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 Hempstead, NY earn a median of $160,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.13% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.50% below the New York state average of $166,302.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.16/hr = $96,293/year (purchasing power: $83,083).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $160,489/year (purchasing power: $138,472).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$63.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Hempstead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $68.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $80.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Hempstead grew 18.5% from $63.24/hr (2019) to $74.94/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.44/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 Hempstead 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 Hempstead
Exploring the financial landscape for part-time optometrists reveals that those working 24 hours weekly could anticipate an annual income exceeding $157,815, assuming full utilization of their hours. In the realm of per-diem or locum tenens positions, optometrists in Hempstead may charge anywhere from $500 to $1,200 per day, depending on their practice setting; those with residency training in ocular disease generally enjoy higher rates around $90 to $130 an hour. Compensation can differ based on whether one is employed in a solo practice, a larger group, or retail settings such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, where the trade-off between higher hourly wages versus health benefits often comes into play. For negotiators in Hempstead, assessing employer objectives and articulating one’s unique skill set effectively can lead to better hourly outcomes. Understanding this dynamic will help shape career paths as the optometry field in NY continues to evolve with changing market demands.
More salary data for Hempstead, 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 Hempstead. 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 Hempstead 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