Optometrist Hourly Pay in Grove City, OH: $65.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Grove City, OH runs $65.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,707 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Grove City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,427 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Grove City, Ohio, optometrists are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $65.25 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $67.60. This rate creates a viable opportunity for both part-time and per-diem work, especially for professionals who may only want to work in private optometry practice, retail locations, or outpatient settings. For instance, a part-time optometrist working three days a week can expect steady earnings, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $37.84 per hour and seasoned professionals potentially making up to $91.44 per hour. These hourly figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, reflecting the varied landscape of optometry employment in the region, ranging from private practices to VA clinics.
About the Grove City 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) | $37.84 | $302.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.26 | $418.10 |
| Median (P50) | $65.25 | $521.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.60 | $612.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.44 | $731.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grove City
Based on $65.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.25/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grove City, OH can expect to earn approximately $135,711 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,295. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grove City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grove City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,609.83 | $11,309 | $135,711 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,565.90 | $6,786 | $81,427 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,043.93 | $4,524 | $54,284 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Grove City) | $65.25 |
| 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 Grove City, OH earn a median of $135,707 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $137,356.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.25/hr = $81,427/year (purchasing power: $89,776).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,711/year (purchasing power: $149,626).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Grove City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Grove City grew 18.5% from $53.48/hr (2019) to $63.37/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.18/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 Grove City 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 Grove City
When considering part-time employment of 24 hours a week, an optometrist in Grove City would take home around $81,480 annually, a substantial difference when compared to a full-time salary that could exceed $135,707. For those looking for flexibility, per-diem or locum tenens positions offer another avenue for income. Depending on the setting, these professionals can earn between $500 and $1,200 per day, with residency-trained optometrists potentially billing $90 to $130 per hour in hospital settings. However, employment type significantly influences pay, causing hourly variations; retail chains typically offer lower rates compared to private practice or specialty clinics. As professionals negotiate their work conditions, they must balance the benefits of health insurance, common in full-time roles, against the higher hourly rates available in positions that do not include benefits. Understanding the nuances of the local job market in Grove City is crucial for making informed career decisions.
More salary data for Grove City, 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 Grove City. 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 Grove City 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