Optometrist Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $78.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Denver, CO runs $78.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $162,811 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $97,681 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, CO, optometrists earn a median hourly rate of $78.27, significantly higher than the national median of $67.60. This competitive wage is particularly beneficial for part-time optometrists working three days a week, allowing for flexible schedules while still earning substantial income. With an hourly range from $39.43 at the lower end to $106.23 at the upper end, these pay levels reflect both entry-level positions and those at the top of the profession. Optometrists in Denver can find opportunities in various settings including private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and university teaching clinics, with these factors contributing to the overall attractive compensation landscape based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.43 | $315.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.02 | $504.17 |
| Median (P50) | $78.27 | $626.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.04 | $672.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.23 | $849.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $78.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.27/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $162,802 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $93,924. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,130.81 | $13,567 | $162,802 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,878.48 | $8,140 | $97,681 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,252.32 | $5,427 | $65,121 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Denver) | $78.27 |
| 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 Denver, CO earn a median of $162,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.79% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 10.30% above the Colorado state average of $147,607.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.27/hr = $97,681/year (purchasing power: $92,342).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $162,802/year (purchasing power: $153,903).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$58.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $74.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Denver grew 29.3% from $58.80/hr (2019) to $76.02/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.59/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 Denver 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 Denver
Part-time optometrists in Denver working 24 hours a week can earn around $97,000 annually, providing a solid income without the commitment of full-time work. For those considering per diem opportunities, the pay can vary significantly depending on the setting; optometrists filling in for retail chains often bill between $500 and $800 per day, while positions in OD/MD practices might offer between $700 and $1,200 per day. Residency-trained ocular disease optometrists can command rates of $90 to $130 an hour in hospital systems. The hourly rates vary across employer types, with private practices and retail chains typically offering different benefits packages, leading some optometrists to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance. Negotiating effectively can maximize earning potential in a competitive market like Denver, especially as the field of optometry continues to evolve with expanded practice capabilities.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 Denver. 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