Optometrist Hourly Pay in Dayton, OH: $68.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Dayton, OH runs $68.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,114 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Dayton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,873 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dayton, Ohio, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $68.81, which slightly surpasses the national hourly median of $67.60. This competitive rate opens avenues for both part-time and per-diem workers within various clinical settings. For instance, an optometrist working three days a week might find solid supplemental income from these rates, while those in retail optical chain locations or VA outpatient eye clinics can leverage their experience for higher hourly wages within the industry. The hourly range for optometrists in the area stretches from $32.35 for entry-level positions to $99.74 for top earners, as reported by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2026. Such figures highlight the growing demand for optometrists in Dayton, where the profession is central to patient care in eye health.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.35 | $258.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.81 | $390.51 |
| Median (P50) | $68.81 | $550.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.93 | $663.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.74 | $797.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dayton
Based on $68.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.81/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dayton, OH can expect to earn approximately $143,121 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,570. With a cost-of-living index of 92.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dayton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dayton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,752.33 | $11,927 | $143,121 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,651.40 | $7,156 | $85,873 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,100.93 | $4,771 | $57,248 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Dayton) | $68.81 |
| 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 Dayton, OH earn a median of $143,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.78% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.20% above the Ohio state average of $137,346.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.81/hr = $85,873/year (purchasing power: $92,641).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,121/year (purchasing power: $154,402).
CoL index: 92.694 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $78.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Dayton grew 22.8% from $54.41/hr (2019) to $66.83/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.84/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 Dayton 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 Dayton
Considering the part-time earning potential can be quite revealing for optometrists in Dayton. An optometrist working a typical schedule of 24 hours over three days a week could earn a salary reflective of around $86,000 annually, presenting a sound alternative to a full-time commitment. Per diem optometrists, often filling in at retail chains and ocular specialty practices, typically command daily billing rates between $500-$800, with established agency roles at OD/MD practices netting between $700-$1,200 per day. For those with specialized training in ocular disease, earnings can go up to $130 per hour. Variations in the optometrist hourly rate in Dayton largely depend on employment settings, ranging from private practices to military health systems. While some practitioners may opt for higher hourly wages with no benefits, others might prefer slightly lower rates that come with benefits, such as health insurance. Negotiation strategies can become vital for hourly workers, as understanding these dynamics within Dayton's job market can lead to more favorable outcomes based on individual career goals.
More salary data for Dayton, 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 Dayton. 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