Optometrist Hourly Pay in Garden Grove, CA: $68.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Garden Grove, CA runs $68.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,491 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Garden Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,500 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden Grove, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a competitive $68.51, slightly above the national median of $67.60. This hourly rate supports diverse work arrangements, making it feasible for practitioners working part-time—such as three days a week—to maintain a desirable income while enjoying work-life balance. In typical environments including private optometry clinics and retail optical chains, optometrists can expect to earn anywhere from $39.73 at the entry level up to $102.62 for top earners. This range reflects the evolving nature of optometry and the various practice settings, from VA outpatient clinics to university teaching positions, providing opportunities with flexible hours and differing financial outcomes.
About the Garden Grove 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) | $39.73 | $317.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.99 | $423.95 |
| Median (P50) | $68.51 | $548.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.47 | $667.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.62 | $820.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden Grove
Based on $68.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.51/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden Grove, CA can expect to earn approximately $142,500 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,212. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Garden Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,740.38 | $11,875 | $142,500 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,644.23 | $7,125 | $85,500 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,096.15 | $4,750 | $57,000 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Garden Grove) | $68.51 |
| 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 Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $142,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.30% above the California state average of $139,288.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.51/hr = $85,500/year (purchasing power: $75,597).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,500/year (purchasing power: $125,995).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Garden Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $88.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Garden Grove grew 18.5% from $56.15/hr (2019) to $66.54/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.54/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 Garden Grove 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 Garden Grove
For part-time optometrists based in Garden Grove, working three days a week translates into an annual income considerably less than their full-time counterparts. When considering per diem or locum tenens opportunities, such as those often available at retail locations or OD/MD practices, these professionals can bring home between $500 and $1,200 daily, depending on their practice setting and specialty. While private optometry practices may offer lower hourly pay, they often provide benefits that higher-paying positions might not, making benefits a critical consideration in this field. Negotiating hourly pay effectively can involve highlighting specialties, such as experience with glaucoma management or advanced procedural skills. With the increased demand for optometry services, aligning compensation with skills and market trends can yield positive results in terms of both hourly earnings and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Garden Grove, 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 Garden Grove. 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 Garden Grove 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