Optometrist Hourly Pay in Glendale, AZ: $69.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Glendale, AZ runs $69.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,449 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Glendale's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,273 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Glendale, Arizona, earn a median hourly pay of $69.93, which is slightly higher than the national median hourly rate of $67.60. This rate is particularly advantageous for part-time optometrists working three days a week, as it translates into a solid income while allowing for flexible scheduling. In the diverse work environments typical for the profession—ranging from private optometry exam rooms and retail optical chains to hospitals and outpatient clinics—optometrists can expect hourly earnings that fall within a broad range. Entry-level optometrists might start at around $40.56 per hour, while those at the top of the field can command up to $106.19 per hour, reflecting the disparity in experience levels, employer types, and patient bases.
About the Glendale Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.56 | $324.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.90 | $431.20 |
| Median (P50) | $69.93 | $559.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.48 | $683.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.19 | $849.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Glendale
Based on $69.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.93/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Glendale, AZ can expect to earn approximately $145,455 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,917. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Glendale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Glendale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,797.22 | $12,121 | $145,455 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,678.33 | $7,273 | $87,273 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,118.89 | $4,849 | $58,182 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Glendale) | $69.93 |
| 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 Glendale, AZ earn a median of $145,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 5.00% above the Arizona state average of $138,522.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.93/hr = $87,273/year (purchasing power: $88,602).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,455/year (purchasing power: $147,670).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Glendale grew 18.5% from $57.32/hr (2019) to $67.92/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.00/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 Glendale 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 Glendale
Considering part-time work in Glendale, an optometrist working 24 hours a week will generate a different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem optometrists, filling in at various locations, often bill between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains, with rates increasing to between $700 and $1,200 for practices that require more specialized knowledge. For residency-trained optometrists in ocular disease, hourly earnings can reach $90 to $130, usually on a 1099 basis. The hourly pay can vary significantly depending on the employer type, with private practices typically offering lower rates in exchange for benefits, unlike retail optical chains that may propose higher hourly rates but lack health insurance. Negotiation can play a vital role in securing favorable terms, especially in a market exhibiting a growth rate of 2.96% annually, using insights like comparative benefits as leverage can help optometrists navigate contract discussions more effectively.
More salary data for Glendale, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Glendale in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Glendale?
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Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Glendale?
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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 Glendale. 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 Glendale 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