Optometrist Hourly Pay in Huntington, WV: $51.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Huntington, WV runs $51.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,739 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Huntington's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,041 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Huntington, West Virginia, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $51.32 in 2026, a figure that falls short compared to the national hourly median of $67.60. This discrepancy highlights the challenge for part-time practitioners, such as those working three days a week in various settings, including private optometry practices and retail optical locations. With an entry-level hourly rate sitting at $22.01 and top earners reaching up to $109.95, the pay scale offers a range reflective of different levels of experience and practice environments. The reported figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, providing insight into the local job market for optometrists.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.01 | $176.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.68 | $301.47 |
| Median (P50) | $51.32 | $410.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.84 | $622.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.95 | $879.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington
Based on $51.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.32/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington, WV can expect to earn approximately $106,736 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,578. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,052.61 | $8,895 | $106,736 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,231.57 | $5,337 | $64,041 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $821.04 | $3,558 | $42,694 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Huntington) | $51.32 |
| 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 Huntington, WV earn a median of $106,739 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.09% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 12.20% below the West Virginia state average of $121,570.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.32/hr = $64,041/year (purchasing power: $72,427).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,736/year (purchasing power: $120,712).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Huntington grew 18.5% from $42.06/hr (2019) to $49.84/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.83/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 Huntington 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 Huntington
Considering the part-time potential, an optometrist working a 24-hour week can expect significantly different annual earnings compared to a full-time counterpart. Those in per diem roles, filling in at retail chains, typically earn between $500-$800 a day, while locum tenens positions in OD/MD practices can yield between $700-$1,200 daily. This financial variation is influenced by the type of employer, from retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision to private practices and VA medical centers. While some optometrists may accept lower hourly pay for the benefits offered by larger employers, others prioritize higher pay without benefits, adding to the complexities of negotiating compensation in Huntington. For those navigating this landscape, understanding the market and recognizing the value of their training, particularly for residency-trained professionals, is essential in securing a fair hourly rate that aligns with their career goals.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Huntington 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 Huntington. 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, 4-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