Optometrist Hourly Pay in Bowling Green, OH: $65.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Bowling Green, OH runs $65.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,443 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Bowling Green's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,864 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bowling Green, Ohio, optometrists earn a median hourly rate of $65.60, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This hourly compensation presents a solid income for those considering part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week in various settings like private optometry offices, retail optical chain locations, and outpatient eye clinics. The hourly rates for optometrists in the area range from $38.04 for entry-level positions up to $92.63 for the highest-earning professionals, providing attractive options for both new graduates and seasoned practitioners. These figures are derived from projected annual salary estimates, establishing a reliable framework for understanding local pay dynamics.
About the Bowling Green Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.04 | $304.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.98 | $423.87 |
| Median (P50) | $65.60 | $524.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.45 | $619.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.63 | $741.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bowling Green
Based on $65.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.60/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bowling Green, OH can expect to earn approximately $136,439 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,715. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bowling Green.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bowling Green
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,623.83 | $11,370 | $136,439 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,574.30 | $6,822 | $81,864 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,049.53 | $4,548 | $54,576 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Bowling Green) | $65.60 |
| 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 Bowling Green, OH earn a median of $136,443 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the Ohio state average of $137,266.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.60/hr = $81,864/year (purchasing power: $90,258).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,439/year (purchasing power: $150,429).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Bowling Green grew 18.5% from $53.76/hr (2019) to $63.71/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.54/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 Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green
For optometrists considering part-time work, the financial realities can vary significantly. A three-day-a-week schedule leads to an annual income that is markedly lower than that of full-time colleagues but still offers a good standard of living given the cost of living in Bowling Green, which is below the national average. Per diem optometrist pay in Bowling Green can often be lucrative, with fill-in professionals billing between $500 and $800 per day at retail chains, and even higher rates of $700 to $1,200 per day in OD/MD practices. While many optometrists might prefer employment at private practices or optical chains due to predictable hours and patient relationships, others opt for agency roles that might offer higher hourly rates but lack benefits. Health insurance is often a trade-off; some professionals choose slightly lower hourly wages for the stability of benefits. For those navigating compensation discussions locally, being informed about the variations in pay across different practice settings—from private optometry to larger healthcare systems—can lead to better negotiation outcomes.
More salary data for Bowling Green, OH:
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 Bowling Green. 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 Bowling Green 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