Optometrist Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $67.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Hickory, NC runs $67.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $140,973 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,588 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Hickory, North Carolina, can expect an hourly pay of $67.78, which slightly surpasses the national median of $67.60. This figure represents a competitive rate for those working part-time or in per-diem positions, such as in private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics. The hourly pay range for optometrists in the region typically varies, starting at $54.03 for entry-level positions and reaching as high as $95.68 for the top earners. Being able to work part-time—perhaps three days a week—offers significant earning potential, allowing many in the profession to balance personal commitments while still securing a reasonable income through official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projected for 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.03 | $432.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.78 | $542.23 |
| Median (P50) | $67.78 | $542.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.78 | $542.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.68 | $765.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $67.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.78/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $140,979 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,334. With a cost-of-living index of 88.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,711.14 | $11,748 | $140,979 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,626.69 | $7,049 | $84,588 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,084.46 | $4,699 | $56,392 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Hickory) | $67.78 |
| 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 Hickory, NC earn a median of $140,973 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.26% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 16.10% below the North Carolina state average of $168,025.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.78/hr = $84,588/year (purchasing power: $95,594).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,979/year (purchasing power: $159,324).
CoL index: 88.486 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+86.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Hickory grew 76.3% from $37.34/hr (2019) to $65.83/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.78/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 Hickory 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 Hickory
Examining the financial implications of different employment models reveals noteworthy trends. An optometrist working part-time, for instance, may take home an annual income that is significantly less than a full-time counterpart, which can lead to an average takeaway of $104,712 annualized from a typical workload. Per-diem optometrists have the opportunity to charge rates between $500 and $1,200 per day depending on their setting, whether in retail or as fill-in providers for OD/MD practices. This dynamic creates a diverse landscape of hourly rates across various employment types, including private practices, retail chains like LensCrafters, and VA medical centers. For some, the allure of a higher hourly pay without health insurance can be offset by the stability that a traditional practice offers. Negotiating hourly pay effectively involves understanding not just the hourly rates but also the benefits juxtaposition, which can be crucial for securing a rewarding role in Hickory’s optometry market.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Hickory in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Hickory?
Are optometrists in Hickory paid hourly or salary?
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Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Hickory?
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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 Hickory. 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, 3-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