Optometrist Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $64.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Riverside, CA runs $64.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,838 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,309 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Riverside, California, offers an optometrist hourly pay of $64.35, which is slightly lower than the national average of $67.60. This hourly rate can be particularly beneficial for part-time and per-diem professionals, enabling them to customize their schedules, such as working three days a week in various settings, including private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and outpatient clinics. For entry-level optometrists, the hourly rate starts at around $51.56, while experienced practitioners can earn up to $102.14 per hour. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflects the diverse landscape of optometry in Riverside, where both storefront practices and medical model settings provide opportunities for flexible work arrangements.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.56 | $412.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.06 | $440.50 |
| Median (P50) | $64.35 | $514.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.67 | $637.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.14 | $817.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $64.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.35/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $133,848 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,220. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,574.00 | $11,154 | $133,848 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,544.40 | $6,692 | $80,309 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,029.60 | $4,462 | $53,539 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Riverside) | $64.35 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $133,838 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.82% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.90% below the California state average of $139,269.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.35/hr = $80,309/year (purchasing power: $75,448).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,848/year (purchasing power: $125,747).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+8.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $74.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Riverside grew 2.1% from $61.22/hr (2019) to $62.50/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.25/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
The earning potential for part-time optometrists in Riverside is notable. A typical three-day workweek of 24 hours results in an annual income that can be substantially lower than that of full-time colleagues, yet remains competitive due to the flexibility it offers. Per diem optometrists frequently command higher daily rates, billing anywhere from $500 to $1,200, depending on the employer's nature. Employment in various settings, like retail chains versus ophthalmology practices, can lead to significant differences in hourly compensation, as retail environments may offer slightly lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance. In contrast, those opting for higher hourly wages in private practice or agency work may sacrifice benefits, creating a critical decision point for many professionals. Negotiation strategies specific to Riverside's market can enhance job satisfaction, especially when considering the evolving optometry landscape shaped by an increasing scope of practice and consolidation trends among medical and retail establishments.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Riverside in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Riverside?
Are optometrists in Riverside paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Riverside?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Riverside?
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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 Riverside. 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, 7-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