Optometrist Hourly Pay in Brownsville, TX: $64.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Brownsville, TX runs $64.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,287 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Brownsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,566 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brownsville, Texas, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to hit a median rate of $64.56 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $67.60. This income translates well for those considering part-time work, enabling a practitioner working three days a week to earn a respectable income, particularly within settings such as private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and university clinics. For entry-level optometrists, earnings can start around $37.45 per hour, while more experienced practitioners and top earners can command rates up to $100.07 per hour. These estimates are based on projected annual salary data but give a clear picture of what the field offers on an hourly basis.
About the Brownsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.45 | $299.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.05 | $416.37 |
| Median (P50) | $64.56 | $516.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.89 | $615.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.07 | $800.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brownsville
Based on $64.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.56/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brownsville, TX can expect to earn approximately $134,276 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,467. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brownsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brownsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,582.24 | $11,190 | $134,276 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,549.34 | $6,714 | $80,566 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,032.89 | $4,476 | $53,711 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Brownsville) | $64.56 |
| 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 Brownsville, TX earn a median of $134,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.50% lower than the national median of $140,612.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.56/hr = $80,566/year (purchasing power: $83,923).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,276/year (purchasing power: $139,871).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Brownsville grew 18.5% from $52.91/hr (2019) to $62.70/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.47/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 Brownsville 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 Brownsville
Part-time optometrists in Brownsville can effectively manage their earnings by working a 24-hour week. For instance, a practitioner working three days a week could potentially earn around $75,000 annually, a substantive amount that taps into the lucrative potential of the profession while allowing for flexible scheduling. Those engaged on a per-diem basis commonly find lucrative opportunities, charging anywhere from $500 to $800 daily at retail locations and up to $1,200 in medical practices. However, rates vary significantly depending on the work environment; private optometry practices may offer lower hourly rates but typically provide benefits, whereas retail optical chains might deliver higher pay at the cost of job security and health insurance. Practitioners should assess the value of benefits when weighing hourly rates and consider negotiating based on their experience level as well as the local market dynamics in Brownsville and beyond.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Brownsville. 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 Brownsville 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