Optometrist Hourly Pay in Mountain Home, ID: $60.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Mountain Home, ID runs $60.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,351 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Mountain Home's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,812 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For an optometrist in Mountain Home, Idaho, the projected median hourly pay for 2026 is $60.75. This figure is slightly lower than the national median of $67.60, representing a 10.14% disparity. However, the local market offers significant opportunities for part-time work and flexibility, making it an appealing choice for those in the profession. Part-time optometrists working three days a week can still enjoy competitive earnings with a potential hourly range from $35.23 at the 10th percentile to $86.41 at the 90th percentile. These rates are extrapolated from annual salary data and reflect the various settings in which optometrists may work, including private practice, retail locations, and health care facilities.
About the Mountain Home 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) | $35.23 | $281.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.01 | $416.04 |
| Median (P50) | $60.75 | $485.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.63 | $581.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.41 | $691.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountain Home
Based on $60.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.75/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mountain Home, ID can expect to earn approximately $126,353 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,896. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mountain Home.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountain Home
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,429.86 | $10,529 | $126,353 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,457.91 | $6,318 | $75,812 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $971.94 | $4,212 | $50,541 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Mountain Home) | $60.75 |
| 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 Mountain Home, ID earn a median of $126,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.70% below the Idaho state average of $133,989.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.75/hr = $75,812/year (purchasing power: $79,550).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,353/year (purchasing power: $132,584).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Mountain Home (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Mountain Home grew 18.5% from $49.79/hr (2019) to $59.00/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.54/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 Mountain Home 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 Mountain Home
Delving into the earning potential for part-time optometrists, those working 24 hours a week can generate a substantial income but will still fall short of full-time earnings. For instance, per-diem optometrists in Mountain Home can expect to bill anywhere from $500 to $800 per day at retail chains. Those filling in at OD/MD practices may earn between $700 and $1,200 daily, making fill-in work a lucrative path for many professionals. The actual hourly pay can differ significantly based on the type of employer, whether private optometry practices, retail chains like Walmart Vision, or hospital systems. While some may choose positions offering lower hourly rates for job security and health insurance benefits, others may prioritize higher pay in situations without these perks. Optometrists in Mountain Home looking to negotiate their pay should emphasize their qualifications, including AOA and NBEO credentials, as well as their experience and residency training, which can enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Mountain Home, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Mountain Home in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Mountain Home?
Are optometrists in Mountain Home paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Mountain Home?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Mountain Home?
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 Mountain Home. 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 Mountain Home 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