Optometrist Hourly Pay in Richmond, VA: $64.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Richmond, VA runs $64.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,960 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,977 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Richmond, Virginia, enjoy a median hourly pay of $64.89, which is slightly lower than the national median of $67.60 for the profession. This hourly rate sets the stage for both part-time and per-diem workers, highlighting the diverse opportunities within the field. For those working part-time—approximately three days a week—this translates to a reliable income while allowing for a balanced lifestyle in various settings such as private exam rooms, retail optical chains, and even VA outpatient clinics. The hourly pay for optometrists in Richmond ranges from $31.68 for entry-level positions to $94.93 for the top earners in the field, underscoring the potential for lucrative earnings as experience and specialization in areas like glaucoma and ocular disease accumulate. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, provides a clear picture of the financial landscape for optometrists in the area.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.68 | $253.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.33 | $474.60 |
| Median (P50) | $64.89 | $519.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.15 | $625.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.93 | $759.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $64.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.89/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, VA can expect to earn approximately $134,962 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,862. With a cost-of-living index of 97.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,595.42 | $11,247 | $134,962 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,557.25 | $6,748 | $80,977 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,038.17 | $4,499 | $53,985 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Richmond) | $64.89 |
| 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 Richmond, VA earn a median of $134,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.02% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.00% below the Virginia state average of $145,118.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.89/hr = $80,977/year (purchasing power: $82,749).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,962/year (purchasing power: $137,916).
CoL index: 97.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Richmond grew 24.8% from $50.49/hr (2019) to $63.02/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.81/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
The earning potential for part-time optometrists in Richmond may differ significantly compared to their full-time counterparts. Working an average of 24 hours per week, a part-time optometrist can expect to take home around $81,000 annually, depending on the number of weeks worked. Per-diem or locum tenens optometrists often see varied pay structures; for instance, they might bill between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains, or even $700 to $1,200 for shifts in OD/MD practices. Residency-trained specialists often command hourly rates between $90 and $130 when working in hospital systems. The range of employment settings—from retail optical chains to military health systems—results in differing compensation levels; some optometrists may accept lower hourly rates with benefits, while others opt for higher pay at practices without insurance coverage. Professionals in Richmond should consider the trade-offs associated with benefits and negotiate effectively based on their circumstances and the market standards for optometrist hourly pay in VA.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 Richmond. 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, 6-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