Optometrist Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $61.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Houston, TX runs $61.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,329 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,994 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, TX, the optometrist hourly rate stands at $61.69, which is notably lower than the national median of $67.60. This hourly figure reflects the compensation for both full-time optometrists and those working part-time or as per-diem professionals. For an optometrist working three days a week, this can provide a steady income while balancing other commitments. Per-diem opportunities in retail optical settings or private practices can offer varying pay scales, with entry-level professionals earning at the lower end of the spectrum around $47.53 per hour, while experienced optometrists can command rates as high as $80.20 per hour, depending on their location and type of practice, such as VA outpatient clinics or university teaching environments. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS statistics, indicates promising earning potential for those entering the field or considering flexible work arrangements.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.53 | $380.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.35 | $410.77 |
| Median (P50) | $61.69 | $493.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.74 | $581.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.20 | $641.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $61.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.69/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $128,323 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,032. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,467.75 | $10,694 | $128,323 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,480.65 | $6,416 | $76,994 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $987.10 | $4,277 | $51,329 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Houston) | $61.69 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $128,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.74% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.50% below the Texas state average of $134,376.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.69/hr = $76,994/year (purchasing power: $78,064).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,323/year (purchasing power: $130,107).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Houston grew 11.0% from $53.96/hr (2019) to $59.92/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.52/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 Houston 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 Houston
When assessing the overall earning potential for part-time optometrists, a professional working 24 hours a week can expect to earn approximately $77,286 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still a viable option for many. Additionally, per diem positions tend to pay in the daily range of $500 to $800 at retail chains, and up to $1,200 at OD/MD practices, making this model appealing for those who prefer flexibility. In Houston, variations in hourly pay often depend on the type of employer; while private optometry practices might offer lower hourly rates, they frequently provide benefits such as health insurance that can offset the difference. Negotiating effectively based on the specific employer type is crucial for hourly workers in this competitive landscape, particularly as the optometry field continues to evolve with expanded scopes of practice. Understanding these dynamics can lead to better-informed career decisions and financial outcomes for optometrists in the Houston area.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
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 Houston. 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