Optometrist Hourly Pay in New Castle, PA: $63.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in New Castle, PA runs $63.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,223 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against New Castle's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,332 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in New Castle, Pennsylvania, command a median hourly rate of $63.57, which is notably lower than the national median hourly figure of $67.60. This difference may influence part-time practitioners working three days a week or those considering per-diem opportunities within various clinical settings, such as private eye care offices, retail optical chains, and hospital environments. Hourly pay for optometrists in the area ranges from $36.87 for entry-level positions (P10) to $86.21 for seasoned professionals at the top of the pay scale (P90). These hourly wage estimates are derived from annual salary figures, reflecting the economic conditions and demand for eye care services in the region.
About the New Castle Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.87 | $294.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.15 | $433.17 |
| Median (P50) | $63.57 | $508.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.40 | $587.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.21 | $689.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Castle
Based on $63.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.57/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Castle, PA can expect to earn approximately $132,220 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,281. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Castle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Castle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,542.70 | $11,018 | $132,220 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,525.62 | $6,611 | $79,332 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,017.08 | $4,407 | $52,888 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (New Castle) | $63.57 |
| 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 New Castle, PA earn a median of $132,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.97% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $138,164.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.57/hr = $79,332/year (purchasing power: $81,450).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,220/year (purchasing power: $135,750).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in New Castle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in New Castle grew 18.5% from $52.10/hr (2019) to $61.74/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.45/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 New Castle 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 New Castle
Analyzing the earnings potential for part-time optometrists in New Castle reveals that a three-day workweek, translating to around 24 hours, could result in an annual income close to $79,683 before taxes. In comparison, full-time optometrists, typically working 40-hour weeks, experience significantly higher annual earnings. Per-diem optometrists, particularly those filling in at retail chains, can earn between $500-$800 daily, which implies a strong incentive for flexibility in scheduling. Rates can soar for agency or locum tenens positions, with experienced individuals in hospital settings billing at $90-$130 per hour. Potential earnings may vary significantly by employer type, with private practices, retail chains, and vision insurance plans offering differing compensation structures. While some optometrists may choose lower hourly rates for the benefits of full-time employment, others may prefer the higher pay and independence associated with freelance work. When negotiating rates, practitioners should consider local demand, their training background, and the potential trade-offs in benefits versus hourly compensation.
More salary data for New Castle, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in New Castle in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 New Castle. 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 New Castle 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