Optometrist Hourly Pay in San Luis Obispo, CA: $63.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in San Luis Obispo, CA runs $63.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,839 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against San Luis Obispo's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.6, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,705 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Luis Obispo, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $63.87 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $67.60. This hourly rate provides insights for both full-time and part-time professionals in various practice settings such as private optometry offices, retail optical chains, and outpatient eye clinics. For part-time optometrists working three days a week, an average schedule of 24 hours could yield an income of approximately $61,000 annually. Additionally, entry-level professionals may start at around $52.85 per hour, while top earners in the field can command rates as high as $81.88 per hour according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This hourly structure supports flexibility, appealing to those who prefer to work in less traditional roles while maintaining a balance between work and personal commitments.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.85 | $422.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.62 | $452.94 |
| Median (P50) | $63.87 | $510.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.32 | $610.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.88 | $655.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Luis Obispo
Based on $63.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.87/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Luis Obispo, CA can expect to earn approximately $132,841 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,639. With a cost-of-living index of 108.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Luis Obispo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Luis Obispo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,554.64 | $11,070 | $132,841 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,532.79 | $6,642 | $79,705 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,021.86 | $4,428 | $53,137 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (San Luis Obispo) | $63.87 |
| 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 San Luis Obispo, CA earn a median of $132,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.53% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.70% below the California state average of $139,390.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.87/hr = $79,705/year (purchasing power: $73,396).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,841/year (purchasing power: $122,326).
CoL index: 108.596 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$52.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in San Luis Obispo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in San Luis Obispo grew 18.5% from $52.35/hr (2019) to $62.03/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.76/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 San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo
The earning potential for optometrists in San Luis Obispo can significantly vary, especially for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. A 3-day workweek translates to a reduced annual income, which can tempt some to consider per-diem opportunities that are often lucrative. Per-diem optometrists typically invoice between $500 and $800 daily at retail optical settings, while experienced practitioners in ophthalmology practices may earn $700 to $1,200 per day. Additionally, residency-trained ocular disease optometrists within hospital systems can command $90 to $130 per hour. Furthermore, hourly wages can differ based on the type of employer; private optometry practices may offer lower rates compared to retail chains or hospital systems, but they often provide health insurance and benefits. Optometrists should consider these trade-offs when negotiating. Practical tips for hourly workers include understanding market rates, being willing to accept lower compensation for job benefits, and clearly articulating value based on training and local demand.
More salary data for San Luis Obispo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in San Luis Obispo in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in San Luis Obispo?
Are optometrists in San Luis Obispo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in San Luis Obispo?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in San Luis Obispo?
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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 San Luis Obispo. 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, 5-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