Optometrist Hourly Pay in Waterloo, IA: $59.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Waterloo, IA runs $59.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $123,713 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Waterloo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,231 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For optometrists in Waterloo, IA, the projected hourly pay in 2026 stands at $59.48, which is notably lower than the national median of $67.60. This hourly rate provides an interesting perspective for those considering part-time work. For optometrists operating in various settings — including private optometric clinics, retail optical chains, and hospital facilitative roles — the pay range is diverse. While entry-level positions may start at around $34.49 an hour, experienced optometrists can earn upwards of $87.63 an hour. This breadth of pay reflects both the varying levels of experience and the specific employment contexts across the Waterloo area.
About the Waterloo Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.49 | $275.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.94 | $383.51 |
| Median (P50) | $59.48 | $475.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.92 | $575.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.63 | $701.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterloo
Based on $59.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.48/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterloo, IA can expect to earn approximately $123,718 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,376. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterloo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterloo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,379.20 | $10,310 | $123,718 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,427.52 | $6,186 | $74,231 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $951.68 | $4,124 | $49,487 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Waterloo) | $59.48 |
| 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 Waterloo, IA earn a median of $123,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.02% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.70% below the Iowa state average of $127,146.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.48/hr = $74,231/year (purchasing power: $82,114).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $123,718/year (purchasing power: $136,857).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Waterloo grew 18.5% from $48.75/hr (2019) to $57.77/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.24/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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
Part-time optometrists, those working approximately three days a week, can expect a significant difference in annual income compared to their full-time counterparts, potentially bringing home a more modest figure due to their reduced hours. Per diem options in Waterloo offer flexible, albeit varying, earning potential; for instance, fill-in optometrists at retail chains can command pay rates ranging from $500 to $800 a day, while those filling roles in OD/MD practices might earn between $700 to $1,200 per day. The hourly rates can fluctuate across employer types, with private practices often offering lower rates but benefits, while retail chains and hospital systems may pay more at the cost of benefits. When negotiating, it can be beneficial for optometrists to weigh the lower pay of guaranteed benefits against the higher pay of freelance opportunities, particularly in a market where demand for optometry services continues to grow alongside expanding practice scopes.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Waterloo in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Waterloo?
Are optometrists in Waterloo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Waterloo?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Waterloo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Waterloo. 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 Waterloo 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