Optometrist Hourly Pay in La Mirada, CA: $66.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in La Mirada, CA runs $66.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,448 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against La Mirada's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,071 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Mirada, California, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to reach $66.56 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $67.60. This hourly rate offers noteworthy potential for part-time and per-diem optometrists working typically three days a week, with earnings reflecting their flexible schedules. With an hourly range from $38.61 for entry-level positions to $93.83 for the highest earners, optometrists in the area have diverse earning possibilities across different work environments. Common work settings include private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chain locations, and VA outpatient eye clinics, all of which contribute to variations in hourly pay based on experience, skills, and practice type.
About the La Mirada 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) | $38.61 | $308.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.77 | $430.13 |
| Median (P50) | $66.56 | $532.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.07 | $640.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.83 | $750.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Mirada
Based on $66.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.56/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Mirada, CA can expect to earn approximately $138,452 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,876. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in La Mirada.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Mirada
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,662.55 | $11,538 | $138,452 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,597.53 | $6,923 | $83,071 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,065.02 | $4,615 | $55,381 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (La Mirada) | $66.56 |
| 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 La Mirada, CA earn a median of $138,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.54% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the California state average of $139,284.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.56/hr = $83,071/year (purchasing power: $73,450).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,452/year (purchasing power: $122,416).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in La Mirada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $86.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in La Mirada grew 18.5% from $54.56/hr (2019) to $64.65/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.53/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 La Mirada 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 La Mirada
Optometrists who choose part-time positions, such as working 24 hours a week, will find their annual take-home pay varies significantly from those on full-time schedules. Per-diem optometrists can expect to charge between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains, while those working within OD/MD practice environments often command rates from $700 to $1,200 a day. Interestingly, residency-trained ocular disease specialists may see hourly pay rates ranging from $90 to $130. Differences in employer types, such as private optometry practices, retail optical stores like Walmart Vision, and military health systems, can lead to distinct pay scales. Some optometrists make the choice for lower hourly wages in exchange for essential benefits like health insurance, creating a balancing act in their career decisions. For those working in La Mirada, negotiating pay based on experience and specialization can greatly influence total compensation, especially in competitive fields like optometry.
More salary data for La Mirada, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in La Mirada in 2026?
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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 La Mirada. 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 La Mirada 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