Optometrist Hourly Pay in Las Cruces, NM: $65.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Las Cruces, NM runs $65.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,139 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Las Cruces's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,288 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $65.94 by 2026, sitting slightly below the national median of $67.60. This level of compensation supports a range of employment setups, making it viable for part-time optometrists, who may work three days a week and manage a robust income from their schedules. The hourly range for optometrists in Las Cruces starts at around $38.24 for entry-level positions and can go up to $97.71 for top earners, reflecting the diverse roles available in both private offices and retail optical chains. Such rates highlight the increasing demand for eye care professionals and the potential income these practitioners can expect within various practice settings, including university teaching clinics and VA outpatient eye clinics.
About the Las Cruces Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.24 | $305.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.39 | $403.11 |
| Median (P50) | $65.94 | $527.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.70 | $637.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.71 | $781.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Las Cruces
Based on $65.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.94/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Las Cruces, NM can expect to earn approximately $137,146 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,123. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Las Cruces.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Las Cruces
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,637.42 | $11,429 | $137,146 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,582.45 | $6,857 | $82,288 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,054.97 | $4,572 | $54,858 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Las Cruces) | $65.94 |
| 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 Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $137,139 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.47% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.30% above the New Mexico state average of $132,758.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.94/hr = $82,288/year (purchasing power: $87,169).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,146/year (purchasing power: $145,282).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Las Cruces grew 18.5% from $54.04/hr (2019) to $64.04/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.89/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 Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces
Exploring the earning capacity for part-time optometrists shows that those working a 24-hour week could take home about $100,000 annually, which presents a compelling option compared to full-time roles. Many per diem optometrists, filling in at retail chains or OD/MD practices in Las Cruces, report billing between $500 and $800 daily, while those in specialty positions might command $90 to $130 hourly. This variability in optometrist hourly rate NM can largely hinge on the employer type; private practices may offer lower rates than retail chains yet provide benefits such as health insurance. For those negotiating in Las Cruces, it's essential to weigh the hourly pay against the benefits offered. Engaging in conversations about flexible scheduling can also enhance overall compensation and job satisfaction, aligning with an individual’s lifestyle while maintaining their professional aspirations.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 Las Cruces. 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 Las Cruces 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