Optometrist Hourly Pay in Harlingen, TX: $65.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Harlingen, TX runs $65.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,340 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Harlingen's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,208 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Harlingen, TX, optometrists earn a median hourly pay of $65.07, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This rate presents an appealing opportunity for both part-time practitioners and per-diem workers who can benefit from a flexible schedule. A part-time optometrist working three days a week may find that this hourly wage enables them to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in a city with a cost of living index of 96. The hourly wage ranges from $37.73 at the entry level to $93.88 for top earners, reflecting the variability in experience and practice type, including private optometry offices, retail optical chains, and specialized facilities such as VA outpatient clinics or university settings.
About the Harlingen 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) | $37.73 | $301.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.73 | $429.88 |
| Median (P50) | $65.07 | $520.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.49 | $619.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.88 | $751.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harlingen
Based on $65.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.07/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harlingen, TX can expect to earn approximately $135,347 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,085. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harlingen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harlingen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,602.83 | $11,279 | $135,347 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,561.70 | $6,767 | $81,208 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,041.13 | $4,512 | $54,139 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Harlingen) | $65.07 |
| 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 Harlingen, TX earn a median of $135,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.75% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% above the Texas state average of $134,266.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.07/hr = $81,208/year (purchasing power: $84,592).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,347/year (purchasing power: $140,987).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Harlingen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Harlingen grew 18.5% from $53.33/hr (2019) to $63.20/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.00/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 Harlingen 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 Harlingen
Freelancing as a per-diem optometrist can substantially influence one’s earnings in Harlingen. Working part-time, a three-day-a-week schedule results in an estimated annual income significantly lower than that of full-time colleagues, while per-diem professionals billing anywhere from $500 to $1,200 a day can earn more on an hourly basis, depending on their practice setting. Private practices may offer more stable hours but could provide lower hourly rates compared to retail optical chains or filling in at ophthalmology practices. In many cases, optometrists weighing job opportunities must consider the trade-off between a higher hourly wage without benefits versus lower pay with comprehensive health insurance. For effective negotiations in Harlingen, it’s crucial to research prevailing rates for specific employer types, thereby empowering optometrists to advocate for competitive compensation in alignment with their career goals.
More salary data for Harlingen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Harlingen in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Harlingen?
Are optometrists in Harlingen paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Harlingen?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Harlingen?
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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 Harlingen. 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 Harlingen 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