Optometrist Hourly Pay in Caldwell, ID: $64.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Caldwell, ID runs $64.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,057 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Caldwell's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,028 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Caldwell, Idaho earn a median hourly rate of $64.93, which is slightly below the national average of $67.60. This rate offers appealing opportunities for various work arrangements, especially for part-time optometrists working three days a week or per-diem professionals in settings like private optometry offices, retail optical chains, and outpatient clinics. Entry-level optometrists can expect to earn around $37.66 per hour, while experienced practitioners can make as much as $93.71 per hour, providing a wide range of earning potential across different experience levels and settings. Current estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, suggest that these hourly wages reflect the demand for qualified optometrists in Caldwell, as the area continues to meet the growing community needs for vision care.
About the Caldwell Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.66 | $301.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.64 | $429.14 |
| Median (P50) | $64.93 | $519.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.34 | $618.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.71 | $749.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Caldwell
Based on $64.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.93/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Caldwell, ID can expect to earn approximately $135,047 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,912. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Caldwell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Caldwell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,597.06 | $11,254 | $135,047 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,558.24 | $6,752 | $81,028 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,038.83 | $4,502 | $54,019 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Caldwell) | $64.93 |
| 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 Caldwell, ID earn a median of $135,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.95% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $133,985.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.93/hr = $81,028/year (purchasing power: $85,025).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,047/year (purchasing power: $141,708).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Caldwell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Caldwell grew 18.5% from $53.22/hr (2019) to $63.06/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.85/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 Caldwell 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 Caldwell
For those considering part-time work in Caldwell, an optometrist who practices three days a week might earn significantly less annually compared to full-time colleagues. Calculating the take-home pay for a part-time optometrist reveals that even with a competitive hourly rate, benefits can influence the total compensation package. Per-diem optometrists have varied earning potential based on the employer; for instance, retail chains might offer $500 to $800 per day, while practices needing fill-ins for specialty care, such as ocular disease, may pay between $90 and $130 per hour. Variations in hourly rates can be significant depending on the employer type—private practices may pay lower hourly rates, whereas ophthalmology practices and VA medical centers often offer higher wages but with different benefits. Optometrists must balance factors such as health insurance and the prospective hourly wage when negotiating their pay rates in Caldwell; being informed about what different employers offer can empower them in the decision-making process.
More salary data for Caldwell, ID:
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 Caldwell. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Caldwell is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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