Optometrist Hourly Pay in Chula Vista, CA: $66.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Chula Vista, CA runs $66.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,385 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Chula Vista's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,429 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Chula Vista, California, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $66.05, which reflects a slight variance compared to the national median of $67.60. This hourly rate can significantly influence the earnings of those working part-time or as per-diem professionals. For instance, a part-time optometrist working three days a week may maximize their take-home pay while enjoying a flexible schedule, working in settings such as private optometry offices, retail optical chains, or teaching clinics. The hourly rate for optometrists in Chula Vista varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $38.31 and well-experienced optometrists earning up to $100.28, creating a broad spectrum that accommodates both new graduates and seasoned professionals.
About the Chula Vista 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) | $38.31 | $306.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.35 | $426.83 |
| Median (P50) | $66.05 | $528.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.73 | $645.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.28 | $802.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chula Vista
Based on $66.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.05/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chula Vista, CA can expect to earn approximately $137,382 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,259. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chula Vista.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chula Vista
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,641.95 | $11,448 | $137,382 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,585.17 | $6,869 | $82,429 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,056.78 | $4,579 | $54,953 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Chula Vista) | $66.05 |
| 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 Chula Vista, CA earn a median of $137,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.29% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% below the California state average of $139,335.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.05/hr = $82,429/year (purchasing power: $72,881).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,382/year (purchasing power: $121,469).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Chula Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $89.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Chula Vista grew 18.5% from $54.14/hr (2019) to $64.15/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.00/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 Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista
On the other hand, assessing the actual earnings for part-time optometrists shows a stark contrast in annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. A practitioner working just three days a week, totaling 24 hours, could see an income of approximately $82,000 annually. The per diem optometrist pay in Chula Vista can be lucrative as well, with fill-in doctors at retail chains often billing between $500 and $800 daily, depending on the nature of their work. Those stepping into ophthalmology practices may receive $700 to $1,200 per day, while residency-trained ocular disease ODs at hospitals command hourly rates between $90 and $130. The hourly pay varies across different employer types in the area; for example, retail optical chains versus private practices often offer different compensation packages. Some optometrists are willing to accept lower hourly compensation in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Negotiations can be strategic; emphasizing local demand, specialty training, or experience can help secure more favorable hourly rates.
More salary data for Chula Vista, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Chula Vista in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Chula Vista?
Are optometrists in Chula Vista paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Chula Vista?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Chula Vista?
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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 Chula Vista. 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 Chula Vista 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