Optometrist Hourly Pay in Salem, OR: $66.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Salem, OR runs $66.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,574 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,149 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Salem, Oregon, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $66.63, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $67.60. This hourly wage reflects a solid earning potential for both part-time and per-diem optometrists. For example, a part-time optometrist working three days a week could earn a significant income, especially in the environments commonly found in Salem, such as private optometry exam rooms, retail optical locations, and university teaching clinics. The hourly pay range for optometrists in Salem varies widely, from $52.05 for entry-level positions to as high as $78.75 for top earners. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, providing a reliable snapshot of the profession's compensation landscape in 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.05 | $416.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.55 | $516.36 |
| Median (P50) | $66.63 | $533.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.68 | $573.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.75 | $630.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $66.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.63/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, OR can expect to earn approximately $138,581 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,950. With a cost-of-living index of 103.65 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,665.02 | $11,548 | $138,581 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,599.01 | $6,929 | $83,149 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,066.01 | $4,619 | $55,432 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Salem) | $66.63 |
| 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 Salem, OR earn a median of $138,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.45% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $144,198.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.63/hr = $83,149/year (purchasing power: $80,221).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,581/year (purchasing power: $133,702).
CoL index: 103.649 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Salem grew 21.4% from $53.30/hr (2019) to $64.71/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.60/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 Salem 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 Salem
Analyzing the earning potential for part-time optometrists reveals that those working 24 hours a week might take home around $83,749 annually, significantly lower than full-time colleagues but still competitive in comparison to similar job markets. Additionally, per diem optometrist opportunities in Salem offer an appealing alternative, with fill-in optometrists typically billing between $500 and $800 per day at retail chains, and $700 to $1,200 per day in OD/MD practices. The variances in hourly rates across employer types, including private practices and ophthalmology clinics, reflect the dynamics of compensation negotiations, as some optometrists may choose lower-paying positions with health insurance benefits over higher hourly wages lacking benefits. For those seeking greater financial security, understanding the employer's compensation structure and negotiating effectively can be pivotal in securing the best optometrist hourly pay in Salem, OR.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time optometrists make in Salem?
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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 Salem. 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, 6-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