Optometrist Hourly Pay in Lake Havasu City, AZ: $66.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Lake Havasu City, AZ runs $66.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,441 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Lake Havasu City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,468 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Havasu City, the projected median hourly pay for optometrists is $66.08, slightly below the national median of $67.60. This figure offers a competitive wage for part-time or per-diem professionals, who typically work in varied settings such as private optometry offices, retail optical chains, and VA clinics. For those working just three days a week, the hourly rate translates to a manageable income despite fewer working hours, providing a viable option for balancing personal commitments. The hourly wages vary significantly, ranging from $38.32 for entry-level positions to as much as $99.73 for experienced practitioners who excel in specialized practices or possess added qualifications, such as residency training. These estimates stem from annual salary data and reflect an adaptive employment environment in the optometry sector.
About the Lake Havasu City 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) | $38.32 | $306.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.79 | $438.28 |
| Median (P50) | $66.08 | $528.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.53 | $652.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.73 | $797.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Havasu City
Based on $66.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.08/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Havasu City, AZ can expect to earn approximately $137,446 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,296. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Havasu City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Havasu City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,643.19 | $11,454 | $137,446 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,585.91 | $6,872 | $82,468 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,057.28 | $4,582 | $54,978 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Lake Havasu City) | $66.08 |
| 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 Lake Havasu City, AZ earn a median of $137,441 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.26% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% below the Arizona state average of $138,550.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.08/hr = $82,468/year (purchasing power: $83,723).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,446/year (purchasing power: $139,539).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Lake Havasu City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Lake Havasu City grew 27.1% from $50.51/hr (2019) to $64.18/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.04/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 Lake Havasu City 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 Lake Havasu City
Examining the potential earnings further, a part-time optometrist in Lake Havasu City working 24 hours weekly could expect to bring home approximately $82,675 annually, compared to a full-time colleague potentially earning around $137,441. For those seeking greater flexibility, per-diem or locum tenens optometrists often earn between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains, and up to $1,200 in specialized ophthalmology practices, depending on their skills and certifications. These variations underscore the impact of the employer type on hourly compensation; private practices may offer stable salaries but often at a lower per-hour rate compared to retail chains or hospital systems. Optometrists may face a choice between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower pay accompanied by health insurance—an important consideration. To enhance earning potential, building negotiation skills is vital, especially in a market like Lake Havasu City, where local knowledge can significantly affect pay rates.
More salary data for Lake Havasu City, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Lake Havasu City in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Lake Havasu City?
Are optometrists in Lake Havasu City paid hourly or salary?
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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 Lake Havasu City. 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 Lake Havasu City 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