Optometrist Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $64.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Bakersfield, CA runs $64.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,199 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,923 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Bakersfield, California, earn a median hourly rate of $64.04, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This hourly wage offers attractive opportunities for those pursuing part-time or per-diem roles in various settings, including private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient eye clinics. For those working part-time—such as three days a week—optometrists can earn a stable income while balancing professional and personal commitments. The hourly wage range spans from $49.49 for entry-level positions to $97.51 for top earners, allowing for considerable variation based on experience and practice environment. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections to 2026, provides a comprehensive overview of what optometrists can expect in Bakersfield.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.49 | $395.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.32 | $474.52 |
| Median (P50) | $64.04 | $512.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.83 | $630.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.51 | $780.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $64.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.04/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $133,206 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,849. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,561.64 | $11,100 | $133,206 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,536.99 | $6,660 | $79,923 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,024.66 | $4,440 | $53,282 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Bakersfield) | $64.04 |
| 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 Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $133,199 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.40% below the California state average of $139,330.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.04/hr = $79,923/year (purchasing power: $79,221).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,206/year (purchasing power: $132,036).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$52.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $74.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Bakersfield grew 18.5% from $52.49/hr (2019) to $62.20/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.94/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 Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield
Considering part-time work, an optometrist employed three days a week will bring in a substantial income, albeit less than a full-timer. In the per-diem landscape, optometrists often find themselves billing competitive rates, with the potential to earn between $500 and $800 per day at retail chains and $700 to $1,200 at OD/MD practices. Residency-trained ocular disease ODs can command even more at hospital systems, earning between $90 and $130 per hour. Hourly rates can vary dramatically depending on employer type, with private practices potentially offering lower wages due to the absence of benefits, which makes competitive pay at retail chains appealing. Optometrists may negotiate for higher hourly pay at institutions like VSP or military health systems, particularly if they forgo traditional benefits. Understanding these dynamics can empower optometrists in Bakersfield to make informed decisions about their career paths and compensation structures.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
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 Bakersfield. 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, 6-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