Optometrist Hourly Pay in Junction City, KS: $57.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Junction City, KS runs $57.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,537 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Junction City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,316 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Junction City, the projected optometrist hourly pay in 2026 stands at $57.95, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $67.60. This difference reflects local economic conditions and the cost of living index in Junction City, which is below the national average. For those seeking part-time positions, such as a 3-day work week, these hourly rates allow for a flexible work-life balance while still providing a respectable income. Per-diem optometrists in this region can expect to earn between $33.62 and $82.32 per hour, depending on their experience and practice type. This range offers entry-level professionals a starting point while allowing seasoned optometrists at the upper end to maximize their earnings in various clinical settings, including private optometry exam rooms and retail optical chains.
About the Junction 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) | $33.62 | $268.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.63 | $397.01 |
| Median (P50) | $57.95 | $463.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.38 | $555.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.32 | $658.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Junction City
Based on $57.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.95/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Junction City, KS can expect to earn approximately $120,527 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,535. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Junction City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Junction City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,317.84 | $10,044 | $120,527 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,390.70 | $6,026 | $72,316 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $927.13 | $4,018 | $48,211 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Junction City) | $57.95 |
| 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 Junction City, KS earn a median of $120,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.28% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.70% below the Kansas state average of $127,823.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.95/hr = $72,316/year (purchasing power: $79,556).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,527/year (purchasing power: $132,593).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Junction City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Junction City grew 18.5% from $47.49/hr (2019) to $56.28/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.66/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 Junction 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 Junction City
Looking at the potential for annual earnings can highlight how the optometrist hourly rate KS influences financial decisions, especially for part-time workers. A typical optometrist working three days a week at 24 hours could earn approximately $73,848 annually, a stark contrast to a full-time optometrist's potential earnings. For per diem or agency work, the financial incentives are further enhanced; fill-in optometrists at retail chains often bill $500 to $800 per day, while those serving in OD/MD practices may see daily rates of $700 to $1,200. The variability in employment types, including private practices, retail chains, and hospital settings, complicates the landscape of pay. In Junction City, some optometrists may opt for slightly lower hourly rates that come with benefits and a steadier schedule, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating hourly pay in this market can be strategic—factors like specialty training, such as residency or advanced scope procedures, can further solidify an optometrist's value and bargaining position.
More salary data for Junction City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Junction City in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Junction City?
Are optometrists in Junction City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Junction City?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Junction City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 Junction 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 Junction 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