Optometrist Hourly Pay in Boise City, ID: $51.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Boise City, ID runs $51.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,965 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Boise City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.4, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,183 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boise City, Idaho, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $51.43, which is notably lower than the national median of $67.60. This discrepancy reflects the region's local economy and may influence various employment scenarios such as part-time and per-diem positions. For optometrists working just three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a steady income while allowing flexible schedules typically found in private optometry exam rooms, retail chain locations, or VA outpatient clinics. Entry-level optometrists can expect to earn around $30.69 per hour, while experienced professionals in top positions can earn as much as $93.84 per hour, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.69 | $245.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.20 | $289.61 |
| Median (P50) | $51.43 | $411.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.72 | $661.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.84 | $750.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boise City
Based on $51.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.43/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boise City, ID can expect to earn approximately $106,971 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,714. With a cost-of-living index of 98.39 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Boise City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boise City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,057.14 | $8,914 | $106,971 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,234.28 | $5,349 | $64,183 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $822.86 | $3,566 | $42,789 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Boise City) | $51.43 |
| 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 Boise City, ID earn a median of $106,965 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.93% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 20.20% below the Idaho state average of $134,042.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.43/hr = $64,183/year (purchasing power: $65,232).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,971/year (purchasing power: $108,721).
CoL index: 98.391 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Boise City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Boise City grew -9.2% from $55.04/hr (2019) to $49.95/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.95/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 Boise City 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 Boise City
Part-time optometrists in Boise City can see their annual earnings vary significantly when compared to full-time counterparts. For instance, working a 24-hour week, a part-time optometrist could earn about $51,000, a feasible income for those balancing other commitments. In the realm of per diem work, these professionals often charge between $500 to $800 per day at retail optical chains, and even higher rates of $700 to $1,200 per day in OD/MD practices, reflecting a lucrative fill-in optometrist pay. Notably, different employment settings offer varying pay scales; private optometry practices may pay less due to lower overhead, while ophthalmology practices generally offer more competitive rates. Optometrists must weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against valuable health benefits typically found in salaried positions. Negotiating hourly contracts can enhance earnings, especially in this evolving scope of practice era, encompassing glaucoma management and oral medications, making Boise City attractive for both emerging and seasoned ODs.
More salary data for Boise City, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Boise City in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Boise City?
Are optometrists in Boise City paid hourly or salary?
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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 Boise City. 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