Optometrist Hourly Pay in Prescott, AZ: $64.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Prescott, AZ runs $64.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,633 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Prescott's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,180 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Prescott, Arizona, the projected optometrist hourly pay for 2026 is set at $64.25, which positions it slightly below the national hourly median of $67.60, reflecting a difference of just under 5%. This hourly rate presents significant earning potential for part-time roles—specifically for those working three days a week—which equates to approximately $3,060 per month or around $36,720 annually. Per-diem optometrists can also take advantage of flexible work, typically earning $500-$800 per day at retail chain locations or $700-$1,200 at OD/MD practices, which can be lucrative for those preferring temporary positions. The range for hourly wages in Prescott varies considerably, from $38.36 for entry-level optometrists to $93.26 for top earners, showing promising opportunities for career advancement in this field.
About the Prescott 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) | $38.36 | $306.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.49 | $427.90 |
| Median (P50) | $64.25 | $513.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.40 | $619.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.26 | $746.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Prescott
Based on $64.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.25/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Prescott, AZ can expect to earn approximately $133,634 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,096. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Prescott.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Prescott
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,569.88 | $11,136 | $133,634 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,541.93 | $6,682 | $80,180 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,027.95 | $4,454 | $53,454 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Prescott) | $64.25 |
| 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 Prescott, AZ earn a median of $133,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.96% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.50% below the Arizona state average of $138,480.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.25/hr = $80,180/year (purchasing power: $81,401).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,634/year (purchasing power: $135,669).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Prescott (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Prescott grew 18.5% from $52.66/hr (2019) to $62.40/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.15/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 Prescott 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 Prescott
When considering the realities of part-time versus full-time work, a three-day-per-week optometrist in Prescott could bring in less than half of a full-time peer's income. This is often a trade-off for flexibility and work-life balance. Many practitioners opt for per diem contracts, where they may see hourly rates of $90-$130 in hospital settings, especially for residency-trained ocular disease specialists. Employment types impact hourly rates significantly within Prescott, as private practices may offer different pay scales compared to retail chains such as LensCrafters or Visionworks, which indeed can fall short of the higher rates found in hospital or military health systems. Additionally, the decision to pursue a lower hourly wage at a practice that provides health insurance benefits can influence choices, underscoring the necessity of understanding compensation packages beyond base pay. When negotiating hourly rates, optometrists should emphasize their residency training, seek roles aligned with their specialization, and consider the long-term benefits of potential positions in Prescott’s evolving optometry landscape.
More salary data for Prescott, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Prescott in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Prescott?
Are optometrists in Prescott paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Prescott?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Prescott?
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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 Prescott. 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 Prescott 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