Optometrist Hourly Pay in Tucson, AZ: $78.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Tucson, AZ runs $78.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $162,316 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Tucson's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $80.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $97,386 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tucson, Arizona, the median hourly pay for optometrists is forecasted at $78.03, significantly surpassing the national median of $67.60. This favorable rate offers viable opportunities for part-time and per-diem professionals working in various environments such as private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient eye clinics. Entry-level optometrists can expect to start at around $48.39 per hour, while those at the top of their field, particularly in specialized practices or teaching roles, can earn as much as $83.70 per hour. Such figures illustrate the potential for both burgeoning careers and established practitioners in the Tucson area, with official BLS hourly data reflecting this promising outlook.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.39 | $387.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.22 | $401.79 |
| Median (P50) | $78.03 | $624.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.97 | $631.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.70 | $669.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tucson
Based on $78.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.03/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tucson, AZ can expect to earn approximately $162,309 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $93,640. With a cost-of-living index of 96.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tucson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tucson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,121.34 | $13,526 | $162,309 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,872.80 | $8,115 | $97,386 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,248.53 | $5,410 | $64,924 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Tucson) | $78.03 |
| 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 Tucson, AZ earn a median of $162,316 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.44% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 17.20% above the Arizona state average of $138,495.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.03/hr = $97,386/year (purchasing power: $100,505).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $162,309/year (purchasing power: $167,509).
CoL index: 96.896 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$65.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Tucson grew 16.5% from $65.07/hr (2019) to $75.79/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.34/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 Tucson 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 Tucson
Considering part-time work, an optometrist in Tucson working three days a week for a total of 24 hours would gross an annual income that still benefits significantly from the area’s competitive hourly rate. For example, if working as a per diem optometrist, professionals may bill anywhere from $500 to $1,200 per day, depending on whether they work with retail chains or specialized practices. This broad range coupled with Tucson's healthcare environment can influence pay scales among different employer types. Practitioners in private optometry practices may offer lower hourly rates but include health benefits, while those seeking maximum compensation might opt for roles with no benefits in higher-paying settings. Understanding this trade-off can lead to enhanced negotiation strategies, ensuring Tucson's optometrists effectively manage their own compensation, based on their career objectives and personal circumstances.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Tucson. 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, 7-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