Optometrist Salary

Optometrist Hourly Pay in Casa Grande, AZ: $64.85 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Casa Grande, AZ runs $64.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,907 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Casa Grande's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,938 per year.

$134,907
Median Annual Salary
$64.85/hr
Hourly Rate
$78,247
Entry Level (P10)
$198,628
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrist Hourly Rate in Casa Grande, AZ — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Casa Grande, AZ optometrist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Casa Grande, Arizona, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $64.85 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $67.60. This rate provides ample opportunity for part-time and per-diem work, especially in environments such as retail optical chains, private optometry practices, and university teaching clinics. For instance, an optometrist working three days a week can still earn a substantial income, while those pursuing per-diem roles may find daily earnings ranging from $500 to $1,200, depending on the setting. The hourly pay range for optometrists extends from $37.62 for entry-level positions up to $95.50 for those in top-earning roles, illustrating a diverse spectrum of compensation based on experience and work type.

About the Casa Grande Market

Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$37.62$300.97
Lower Range (P25)$50.92$407.39
Median (P50)$64.85$518.84
Upper Range (P75)$78.59$628.71
Top Earners (P90)$95.50$763.96

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Casa Grande

Based on $64.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a optometrist in Casa Grande earning $64.85/hr would make approximately $77,825 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $134,897 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$77,825Reduced (32 hr/wk)$103,767Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$134,897

At $64.85/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Casa Grande, AZ can expect to earn approximately $134,897 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,825. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Casa Grande.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$518.84
per 8hr shift
$2,594.18
per week
$11,241
per month
$134,897
per year

Schedule Comparison in Casa Grande

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,594.18$11,241$134,897
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,556.51$6,745$80,938
Per Diem (16 hrs)$1,037.67$4,497$53,959

Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Optometrist (Casa Grande)$64.85
Dentist, General (National Avg)$79.54
Pharmacist (National Avg)$66.51
Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg)$21.11
Physician Assistant (National Avg)$64.13
Horizontal bar chart comparing optometrist median salary in Casa Grande ($134,907) with Arizona average ($138,509) and the US national median ($140,612).Casa Grande$134,907Arizona Avg$138,509-2.60%US National$140,612-4.06%

Optometrists in Casa Grande, AZ earn a median of $134,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.06% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% below the Arizona state average of $138,509.

Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $64.85/hr = $80,938/year (purchasing power: $82,171).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,897/year (purchasing power: $136,952).

CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$53.16/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$62.99/hr

2026 Current Est.

$64.85/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+25.6%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Casa Grande (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for optometrists in Casa Grande. Baseline $53.16/hr in 2025, projected to $66.77/hr by 2027.$50$55$60$65$692019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$53.16$54.45$57.33$57.93$60.82$62.27$62.99$64.85$66.77
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$53.16/hrActual
2020$54.45/hrActual
2021$57.33/hrActual
2022$57.93/hrActual
2023$60.82/hrActual
2024$62.27/hrActual
2025$62.99/hrActual
2026(current)$64.85/hrEstimated
2027$66.77/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Casa Grande grew 18.5% from $53.16/hr (2019) to $62.99/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.77/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Casa Grande metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Casa Grande

As optometrists in Casa Grande consider various employment options, the part-time earning potential becomes a crucial factor. Working just three days a week could yield an annual income of around $101,056, contrasting sharply with full-time earnings. Per diem optometrists often enjoy flexibility and higher daily rates; for instance, those who fill in at retail chains typically charge between $500 and $800 daily, while optometrists in hospital systems can command rates of $90 to $130 per hour. Different employer types also contribute to varying compensation levels. Private practices may offer lower rates but include health benefits, while retail chains focus on higher hourly wages without insurance. Negotiating for hourly pay in Casa Grande may involve discussing the trade-off between benefits and rates, allowing optometrists to align their work preferences with their financial goals. Familiarity with current market conditions and the growing scope of practice can further position optometrists advantageously in salary discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Casa Grande in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for optometrists in Casa Grande is $64.85/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.96% annual growth). Rates range from $37.62 at entry level (10th percentile) to $95.50 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 4.1% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time optometrists make in Casa Grande?

A part-time optometrist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Casa Grande earns approximately $6,745/month, or $80,938/year at the median hourly rate of $64.85. Many optometrists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are optometrists in Casa Grande paid hourly or salary?

The majority of optometrists in Casa Grande are paid hourly at a median rate of $64.85/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $134,897/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Casa Grande?

A full-time optometrist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Casa Grande earns approximately $134,897/year at the median hourly rate of $64.85. This is 4.1% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $198,630/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Casa Grande?

Part-time and per diem optometrists in Casa Grande sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $95.50/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

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 Casa Grande. 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 Casa Grande is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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