Optometrist Hourly Pay in Bellflower, CA: $66.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Bellflower, CA runs $66.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,511 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Bellflower's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,110 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Bellflower, CA, earn a median hourly pay of $66.59, which slightly trails the national hourly average of $67.60. This prevailing rate can provide significant opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers, especially those who choose to operate in various settings such as independent optometry clinics, retail optical chains, or academic environments. For professionals in Bellflower, the hourly wage ranges from approximately $38.62 for entry-level positions up to about $100.91 for top earners. These fluctuations are reflective of both the local market conditions and the high demand for eye care services, with remuneration estimates based on annual salary data projected for 2026.
About the Bellflower Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.62 | $308.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.90 | $431.20 |
| Median (P50) | $66.59 | $532.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.20 | $657.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.91 | $807.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellflower
Based on $66.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.59/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellflower, CA can expect to earn approximately $138,517 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,913. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellflower.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellflower
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,663.78 | $11,543 | $138,517 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,598.27 | $6,926 | $83,110 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,065.51 | $4,617 | $55,407 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Bellflower) | $66.59 |
| 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 Bellflower, CA earn a median of $138,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.49% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the California state average of $139,347.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.59/hr = $83,110/year (purchasing power: $73,484).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,517/year (purchasing power: $122,473).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Bellflower (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $86.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Bellflower grew 18.5% from $54.58/hr (2019) to $64.68/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.57/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 Bellflower 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 Bellflower
The part-time earning potential for a three-day workweek (around 24 hours) allows optometrists to take home a salary that can significantly differ from their full-time counterparts. Per-diem optometrists in Bellflower can typically charge between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains, while fill-in positions in OD/MD practices can command rates ranging from $700 to $1,200 per day. Factors such as employer type also strongly influence pay disparities; private practices, retail optical chains, and military health systems each offer varying compensation structures. Some optometrists may accept lower hourly wages for the added benefit of health insurance, while others may prioritize higher hourly pay with fewer benefits. Locally, negotiating strategies can play a vital role, especially in an evolving job market shaped by competitive pressures from corporate consolidation and scope-of-practice expansions, including glaucoma management and surgical interventions in select states.
More salary data for Bellflower, 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 Bellflower. 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 Bellflower 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