Optometrist Hourly Pay in Salinas, CA: $66.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Salinas, CA runs $66.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,297 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Salinas's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.0, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,378 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salinas, California, optometrists earn a median hourly rate of $66.01, slightly below the national median of $67.60. This level of pay is crucial for those considering part-time or per-diem work; a three-day-a-week schedule could allow for significant earnings while maintaining a flexible lifestyle. Optometrists in various settings—such as private examination rooms, retail optical chains, and outpatient clinics—can expect to earn from $53.28 for entry-level positions up to $81.29 for the top earners in the field. The official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers this insight into the profession's compensation, highlighting opportunities for those who may be entering the workforce or seeking to shift their job settings.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53.28 | $426.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.12 | $472.96 |
| Median (P50) | $66.01 | $528.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.25 | $618.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.29 | $650.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salinas
Based on $66.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.01/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salinas, CA can expect to earn approximately $137,296 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,209. With a cost-of-living index of 109.04 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salinas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salinas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,640.31 | $11,441 | $137,296 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,584.18 | $6,865 | $82,378 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,056.12 | $4,577 | $54,918 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Salinas) | $66.01 |
| 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 Salinas, CA earn a median of $137,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.36% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.50% below the California state average of $139,388.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.01/hr = $82,378/year (purchasing power: $75,547).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,296/year (purchasing power: $125,911).
CoL index: 109.042 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Salinas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Salinas grew 50.9% from $42.48/hr (2019) to $64.11/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.96/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 Salinas 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 Salinas
For part-time optometrists working in Salinas, earning around $66.01 per hour translates to a notable but reduced yearly income when considered against full-time positions. For instance, a practitioner working three days a week could bring home nearly $82,000, compared to the annual income of a full-time optometrist. Per diem optometrists in Salinas often experience varied pay rates, billing between $500-$800 per day in retail environments and $700-$1,200 in clinical settings. Rates can soar to between $90 and $130 per hour for residency-trained ocular disease specialists in hospital systems. Different employer types offer differing compensation packages; private practices and retail chains may provide lower hourly rates but also include health benefits and job security. In Salinas, negotiating pay means weighing higher hourly wages against benefits, which is an essential consideration for optometrists.
More salary data for Salinas, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Salinas in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Salinas. 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, 6-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