Optometrist Hourly Pay in Leavenworth, KS: $60.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Leavenworth, KS runs $60.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,999 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Leavenworth's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,002 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, optometrists in Leavenworth, Kansas, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $60.10, notably lower than the national median of $67.60. This discrepancy highlights the financial implications for part-time or per-diem optometrists in the region, particularly those working in various settings such as private practices, retail optical chains, VA medical centers, and university teaching clinics. For example, an optometrist working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can expect to take home about $63,000 annually. The hourly pay range in Leavenworth extends from $34.85 at the entry-level (P10) to $88.81 for top earners (P90), reflecting the varied nature of optometric practice and the demand for skilled professionals within the local healthcare market.
About the Leavenworth 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) | $34.85 | $278.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.36 | $378.89 |
| Median (P50) | $60.10 | $480.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.09 | $568.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.81 | $710.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leavenworth
Based on $60.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.10/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leavenworth, KS can expect to earn approximately $125,003 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,117. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leavenworth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Leavenworth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,403.91 | $10,417 | $125,003 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,442.35 | $6,250 | $75,002 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $961.56 | $4,167 | $50,001 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Leavenworth) | $60.10 |
| 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 Leavenworth, KS earn a median of $124,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.10% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% below the Kansas state average of $127,810.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.10/hr = $75,002/year (purchasing power: $82,510).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,003/year (purchasing power: $137,517).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Leavenworth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Leavenworth grew 18.5% from $49.26/hr (2019) to $58.37/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.88/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 Leavenworth 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 Leavenworth
When exploring earning potential, part-time optometrists in Leavenworth often face a trade-off between flexibility and overall pay. Those working per diem arrangements frequently earn higher rates; for instance, fill-in optometrists at retail chains might bill between $500 and $800 per day, while collaborating with OD/MD practices can command from $700 to $1,200 daily. Furthermore, residency-trained ocular disease optometrists are positioned to earn hourly rates of $90 to $130 at hospital systems. There are significant differences in pay depending on the employer type; private practices and retail chains may offer varying benefits, which can influence compensation. Optometrists prioritizing health insurance may accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for stability, while others might pursue higher pay without benefits. Negotiating hourly rates in Leavenworth involves demonstrating sufficient experience, understanding local market conditions, and explicitly communicating value to attract competitive compensation.
More salary data for Leavenworth, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Leavenworth in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Leavenworth?
Are optometrists in Leavenworth paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Leavenworth?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Leavenworth?
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 Leavenworth. 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 Leavenworth 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