Optometrist Hourly Pay in Cleveland, OH: $67.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Cleveland, OH runs $67.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,902 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,945 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cleveland, optometrists earn a median hourly rate of $67.26, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This competitive pay reflects the diverse work environments these professionals inhabit, including private optometry practices, retail optical locations, and outpatient clinics. For those considering part-time or per-diem positions, averaging three days a week in a standard 24-hour schedule can yield substantial income, providing flexibility without sacrificing financial viability. Entry-level optometrists can expect to make a starting hourly wage of about $32.67, while top earners can reach up to $83.76. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the financial potential for practitioners in this growing field.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.67 | $261.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.97 | $367.77 |
| Median (P50) | $67.26 | $538.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.23 | $625.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.76 | $670.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $67.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.26/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, OH can expect to earn approximately $139,909 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,717. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,690.55 | $11,659 | $139,909 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,614.33 | $6,995 | $83,945 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,076.22 | $4,664 | $55,963 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Cleveland) | $67.26 |
| 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 Cleveland, OH earn a median of $139,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.50% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.90% above the Ohio state average of $137,293.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.26/hr = $83,945/year (purchasing power: $89,377).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,909/year (purchasing power: $148,961).
CoL index: 93.923 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Cleveland grew 21.3% from $53.88/hr (2019) to $65.33/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.25/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
Examining the financial breakdown, a part-time optometrist in Cleveland working three days a week could take home around $105,000 annually, while those in per-diem roles can find lucrative opportunities, billing between $500 and $800 per day at retail optical chains, and even higher in OD/MD practices or residency-trained positions. The disparity in hourly rates across different employer types is significant; private practices often offer lower wages compared to retail chains that might pay more for flexible schedules. However, the choice of employment also weighs heavily on benefits. While higher hourly rates may appeal, many optometrists are willing to accept lower figures in exchange for health insurance and other advantages. Knowing the market and understanding the specifics of Cleveland's optometry landscape, including compensation trends, can empower practitioners to negotiate effectively for their desired compensation package.
More salary data for Cleveland, 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 Cleveland. 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