Optometrist Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $66.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in St. Louis, MO runs $66.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,089 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,457 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, Missouri, the projected median hourly pay for optometrists stands at $66.87, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This compensation level reflects the career’s wide-ranging responsibilities, from standard vision care in private practices to specialized work in retail optical chains and VA outpatient clinics. For part-time optometrists working three days a week, this hourly rate can yield flexible work-life arrangements, especially appealing for those valuing a work schedule conducive to personal commitments. Entry-level optometrists may earn approximately $35.40 per hour, while more experienced professionals in the higher end of the spectrum can earn as much as $95.75, providing a diverse salary range based on experience and practice setting.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.40 | $283.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.79 | $438.28 |
| Median (P50) | $66.87 | $534.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.51 | $636.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.75 | $766.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $66.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.87/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $139,095 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,247. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,674.90 | $11,591 | $139,095 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,604.94 | $6,955 | $83,457 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,069.96 | $4,636 | $55,638 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (St. Louis) | $66.87 |
| 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 St. Louis, MO earn a median of $139,089 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 10.40% above the Missouri state average of $125,986.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.87/hr = $83,457/year (purchasing power: $87,768).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,095/year (purchasing power: $146,280).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in St. Louis grew 22.2% from $53.17/hr (2019) to $64.95/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.85/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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis
Evaluating the part-time earning potential for an optometrist working an average of 24 hours a week reveals a significant difference in annual income compared to a full-time schedule. Those opting for part-time roles may take home around $83,146 annually, which contrasts sharply with their full-time counterparts, incentivizing some to consider shaping their careers around lifestyle preferences. Additionally, the per diem optometrist pay St. Louis varies notably, with fill-in positions at retail chains billing between $500 and $800 daily, while OD/MD practice fill-ins may earn from $700 to $1,200 per day. Employers in St. Louis, such as private practices, retail optical chains, and hospital systems, often influence hourly rates, with some practices offering health benefits in exchange for lower hourly compensation. For those entering negotiations, highlighting experience and seeking roles with comprehensive benefits may prove advantageous in a market where optometrists are increasingly navigating a changing landscape due to the growing scope of practice and the consolidation of private practices by corporate entities.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
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 St. Louis. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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