Optometrist Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $65.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Lancaster, PA runs $65.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,278 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,774 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, PA, the optometrist hourly pay stands at $65.52, slightly below the national median of $67.60. This hourly rate facilitates opportunities for both part-time practitioners working three days a week and per-diem optometrists who can balance their schedules flexibly. Those in entry-level positions can expect hourly wages starting around $47.36, while experienced optometrists can earn up to $79.74. Official projections from BLS indicate that practitioners in various settings—ranging from independent optometry exam rooms and retail optical chains to hospital-based practices—can find suitable hourly compensation that aligns with their career choices.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.36 | $378.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.13 | $513.07 |
| Median (P50) | $65.52 | $524.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.65 | $621.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.74 | $637.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $65.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.52/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $136,289 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,628. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,620.95 | $11,357 | $136,289 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,572.57 | $6,814 | $81,774 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,048.38 | $4,543 | $54,516 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Lancaster) | $65.52 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $136,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.08% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $138,213.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.52/hr = $81,774/year (purchasing power: $83,224).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,289/year (purchasing power: $138,707).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$59.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Lancaster grew 7.1% from $59.42/hr (2019) to $63.64/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.46/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
For optometrists in Lancaster, part-time work presents a unique income dynamic. A practitioner working 24 hours per week might earn a comparable take-home pay to a full-time optometrist due to the flexibility of high per diem rates. Per diem optometrists in retail chains may charge between $500-$800 per day, while those covering for ODs in private practices could earn anywhere from $700 to $1,200 daily, depending on their expertise and whether they hold residency training. Compensation varies across different employer types, with retail optical chains often providing lower pay compared to hospital systems, which may offer higher hourly rates for those with specialization in ocular disease management. Choosing between slightly lower hourly pay with benefits from stable positions or higher rates in flexible per diem roles can challenge many optometrists as they navigate their career paths in an evolving sector. In Lancaster, understanding the negotiation landscape, including leveraging AOA and NBEO credentials or specialization, can empower optometrists to secure more favorable terms in their employment contracts.
More salary data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster. 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