Optometrist Hourly Pay in Cincinnati, OH: $77.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Cincinnati, OH runs $77.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $161,637 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Cincinnati's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.4, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $81.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,987 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cincinnati, optometrists earn a median hourly rate of $77.71, which exceeds the national hourly median of $67.60 by a significant margin. This lucrative pay scale allows optometrists in the area to thrive in various work settings, including private exam rooms, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics. For those choosing part-time work, such as a 3-day week schedule, this hourly rate offers promising earnings. Entry-level positions can start around $33.04 per hour, while top earners in the field can command up to $123.51 per hour according to BLS estimates based on 2025 data, projected to 2026. The diverse range of hourly pay reflects the varied responsibilities and specializations within optometry, especially in a city like Cincinnati where practices may differ significantly.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.04 | $264.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.55 | $404.43 |
| Median (P50) | $77.71 | $621.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.05 | $672.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123.51 | $988.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cincinnati
Based on $77.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.71/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cincinnati, OH can expect to earn approximately $161,646 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $93,257. With a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cincinnati.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cincinnati
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,108.57 | $13,470 | $161,646 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,865.14 | $8,082 | $96,987 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,243.43 | $5,388 | $64,658 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Cincinnati) | $77.71 |
| 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 Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $161,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.95% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 17.70% above the Ohio state average of $137,330.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.71/hr = $96,987/year (purchasing power: $101,696).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $161,646/year (purchasing power: $169,493).
CoL index: 95.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Cincinnati grew 31.2% from $57.51/hr (2019) to $75.48/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.01/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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati
With part-time work being a common choice for many optometrists, those working 24 hours a week could still take home a commendable paycheck compared to a full-time optometrist. Per diem optometrists in Cincinnati can earn between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains, whereas in OD/MD practices, fill-in roles may yield between $700 and $1,200 per day. The hourly rates can vary based on the type of employer; private practices, retail chains like LensCrafters, and hospital systems have different compensation structures. Some optometrists may opt for lower hourly wages to benefit from health insurance and other perks, while others prefer the flexibility of higher rates without benefits. Negotiating for an hourly wage requires an understanding of local market conditions, professional accreditation through AOA and NBEO standards, and awareness of the expanding scope of practice that may improve earning potential in Cincinnati's evolving optometry field.
More salary data for Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati. 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