Optometrist Hourly Pay in Sedalia, MO: $58.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Sedalia, MO runs $58.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,965 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Sedalia's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,573 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sedalia, Missouri, the projected optometrist hourly rate for 2026 is $58.15, which falls below the national median of $67.60. This rate allows for a viable income, particularly for part-time optometrists working around three days a week, typically translating to a comfortable livelihood while also allowing for work-life balance. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities in various settings—ranging from private optometry practices and retail optical chains to VA outpatient eye clinics—the hourly compensation can vary significantly. The hourly range spans from $33.79 for entry-level positions to $79.26 for seasoned professionals, providing ample opportunities for career advancement and specialization in Sedalia's eye care sector.
About the Sedalia Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.79 | $270.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.51 | $380.05 |
| Median (P50) | $58.15 | $465.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.39 | $539.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.26 | $634.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sedalia
Based on $58.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.15/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sedalia, MO can expect to earn approximately $120,956 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,782. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sedalia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sedalia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,326.07 | $10,080 | $120,956 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,395.64 | $6,048 | $72,573 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $930.43 | $4,032 | $48,382 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Sedalia) | $58.15 |
| 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 Sedalia, MO earn a median of $120,965 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.97% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.00% below the Missouri state average of $126,005.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.15/hr = $72,573/year (purchasing power: $80,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,956/year (purchasing power: $134,995).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Sedalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Sedalia grew 18.5% from $47.66/hr (2019) to $56.48/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.87/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 Sedalia 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 Sedalia
When considering the financial dynamics for part-time optometrists working 24 hours a week, their annual income could effectively be around $72,358, paving a path for stable earnings different from full-time roles. Per diem optometrists in Sedalia may experience flexible earning potential, with daily rates ranging from $500 to $1,200 depending on their practice type—retail chains typically pay at the lower end while specialty positions in healthcare offer higher compensation. Optometrists balancing hourly roles across varying settings often face trade-offs between higher pay without benefits versus lower rates with health insurance coverage. Understanding how to negotiate effectively, particularly focusing on the value of reputation and expertise, is vital in a competitive market like Sedalia, especially as practitioners navigate the changes in the optometry landscape driven by shifts in scope-of-practice and ownership models.
More salary data for Sedalia, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Sedalia in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Sedalia?
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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 Sedalia. 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 Sedalia 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