Optometrist Hourly Pay in Dodge City, KS: $58.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Dodge City, KS runs $58.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,922 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Dodge City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,548 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dodge City, Kansas, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $58.13 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $67.60. This rate is indicative of what optometrists working part-time or per-diem can expect in their respective settings, which typically include private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and specialized clinics. For those opting to work just three days a week, the pay can offer a highly attractive proposition, allowing for a balanced work-life schedule. Entry-level optometrists can earn around $33.72 per hour, while experienced professionals at the top of the pay scale may earn upwards of $82.20 per hour. It's essential to consider that these hourly rates are derived from projected annual salary data, impacting how optometrists manage their finances in this evolving field.
About the Dodge City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.72 | $269.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.03 | $376.26 |
| Median (P50) | $58.13 | $465.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.71 | $549.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.20 | $657.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dodge City
Based on $58.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.13/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dodge City, KS can expect to earn approximately $120,913 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,757. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dodge City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dodge City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,325.25 | $10,076 | $120,913 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,395.15 | $6,046 | $72,548 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $930.10 | $4,030 | $48,365 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Dodge City) | $58.13 |
| 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 Dodge City, KS earn a median of $120,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.40% below the Kansas state average of $127,825.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.13/hr = $72,548/year (purchasing power: $79,811).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,913/year (purchasing power: $133,018).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Dodge City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Dodge City grew 18.5% from $47.65/hr (2019) to $56.46/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.85/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 Dodge 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 Dodge City
When evaluating the earning potential for optometrists, part-time professionals working three days a week can expect to take home around $90,000 annually, which significantly differs from full-time earnings. Many per diem and locum tenens optometrists often bill between $500 and $800 a day at retail chains, and even higher at OD/MD practices, with fill-in roles reaching $1,200 per day in some cases. This variability reflects the diversity in employer types across Dodge City, which includes private practices, retail chains like LensCrafters, and healthcare systems like the VA. While some optometrists may opt for positions offering lower hourly rates that include health benefits, others may prioritize higher hourly wages despite lacking benefits. Those working per diem should also hone their negotiation skills, especially given the differences in the pay structure across various employment settings and the increasing demand for residency-trained practitioners in specialties like glaucoma management and ocular disease.
More salary data for Dodge City, KS:
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 Dodge 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
Salary data for Dodge City 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