Optometrist Hourly Pay in Grand Prairie, TX: $65.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Grand Prairie, TX runs $65.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,730 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Grand Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,440 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, optometrists in Grand Prairie, Texas, earn a median hourly pay of $65.26. This rate reflects a slight discount compared to the national median hourly rate of $67.60, illustrating the local earning potential relative to the broader market. For optometrists working part-time—say, three days a week—this rate can be particularly lucrative. Professionals in various settings such as private optometry offices, retail chains, or VA outpatient clinics may find the flexibility of part-time or per-diem arrangements appealing. The hourly range begins at approximately $37.85 for entry-level positions, reaching up to $100.21 for highly experienced practitioners, highlighting diverse opportunities within the profession tailored to varying expertise and responsibilities.
About the Grand Prairie 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) | $37.85 | $302.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.45 | $427.57 |
| Median (P50) | $65.26 | $522.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.12 | $648.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.21 | $801.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Prairie
Based on $65.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.26/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Prairie, TX can expect to earn approximately $135,733 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,307. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,610.24 | $11,311 | $135,733 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,566.15 | $6,787 | $81,440 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,044.10 | $4,524 | $54,293 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Grand Prairie) | $65.26 |
| 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 Grand Prairie, TX earn a median of $135,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.47% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.10% above the Texas state average of $134,253.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.26/hr = $81,440/year (purchasing power: $84,833).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,733/year (purchasing power: $141,388).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Grand Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Grand Prairie grew 18.5% from $53.49/hr (2019) to $63.38/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.19/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 Grand Prairie 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 Grand Prairie
Exploring the part-time earning potential further, an optometrist working 24 hours a week can still achieve substantial income, albeit less than a full-time equivalent. Per-diem opportunities can be particularly rewarding, with rates for fill-in positions at retail chains ranging between $500 and $800 daily, while more specialized roles in OD/MD practices can reach $700 to $1,200 daily. In addition, residency-trained professionals may command hourly rates between $90 and $130 at hospital systems. Across various employer types, from private practices to military health systems, hourly rates will differ significantly, often balancing between higher hourly pay without benefits and lower pay with comprehensive insurance. Negotiating effectively in Grand Prairie involves understanding these trade-offs, assessing local job market trends, and leveraging credentials from accredited programs such as AOA and ACOE for competitive advantage.
More salary data for Grand Prairie, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Grand Prairie in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Grand Prairie?
Are optometrists in Grand Prairie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Grand Prairie?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Grand Prairie?
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 Grand Prairie. 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 Grand Prairie 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