Optometrist Hourly Pay in Erie, PA: $66.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Erie, PA runs $66.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,203 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Erie's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,917 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, the optometrist hourly pay averages around $66.44, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This pay structure can be quite beneficial for those seeking part-time opportunities or per-diem positions, particularly in various settings such as private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics. For a part-time optometrist working three days a week, this hourly rate offers a solid earning potential, whether they are working in busy optical centers or more specialized environments. The hourly wage in Erie spans from approximately $48.85 for entry-level positions to as much as $102.86 for the most experienced practitioners. These figures come from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, offering a reliable insight into the compensation landscape for optometrists in the region.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.85 | $390.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.61 | $492.89 |
| Median (P50) | $66.44 | $531.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.33 | $634.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.86 | $822.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Erie
Based on $66.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.44/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Erie, PA can expect to earn approximately $138,195 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,728. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Erie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Erie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,657.60 | $11,516 | $138,195 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,594.56 | $6,910 | $82,917 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.04 | $4,607 | $55,278 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Erie) | $66.44 |
| 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 Erie, PA earn a median of $138,203 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.71% lower than the national median of $140,612.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.44/hr = $82,917/year (purchasing power: $91,168).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,195/year (purchasing power: $151,947).
CoL index: 90.95 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Erie grew 40.7% from $45.86/hr (2019) to $64.53/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.41/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 Erie 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 Erie
For optometrists considering part-time work at a rate of three days a week, the annual earnings can differ significantly compared to full-time colleagues. Taking home income for those part-time practitioners could yield around $51,000, while full-time professionals may anticipate higher totals. Per diem optometrists in Erie often command rates between $500 and $800 daily in retail chains, with those filling in at OD/MD practices earning between $700 and $1,200 per day. Meanwhile, residency-trained ocular disease specialists can find hourly pay between $90 and $130 in hospital settings. Variability in hourly rates also exists across employer types, with private optometry practices typically paying less compared to larger chains or hospital systems. Some optometrists might choose lower hourly rates linked to employee benefits like health insurance, while others might opt for higher independent pay without benefits. This sets a negotiation landscape where those working in Erie might successfully negotiate fair compensation depending on the practice type and their own additional qualifications.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
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 Erie. 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, 6-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