Optometrist Hourly Pay in Laredo, TX: $65.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Laredo, TX runs $65.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,171 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Laredo's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,697 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laredo, TX, the projected median optometrist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $65.46, slightly lower than the national median of $67.60 per hour. This rate has implications for various employment situations, particularly for part-time professionals working three days a week or those taking on per-diem roles. Typical settings include private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains like LensCrafters, and VA outpatient clinics. For entry-level positions, starting hourly compensation can be around $37.97, while experienced professionals at the upper end of the spectrum can earn as much as $101.48 per hour. These figures are estimated based on annual salary data and reflect the local market dynamics in Laredo, where 48 optometrists are currently employed.
About the Laredo Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.97 | $303.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.58 | $412.66 |
| Median (P50) | $65.46 | $523.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.68 | $661.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.48 | $811.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laredo
Based on $65.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.46/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laredo, TX can expect to earn approximately $136,161 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,554. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Laredo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laredo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,618.48 | $11,347 | $136,161 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,571.09 | $6,808 | $81,697 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,047.39 | $4,539 | $54,464 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Laredo) | $65.46 |
| 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 Laredo, TX earn a median of $136,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.16% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% above the Texas state average of $134,291.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.46/hr = $81,697/year (purchasing power: $85,101).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,161/year (purchasing power: $141,834).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Laredo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Laredo grew 18.5% from $53.65/hr (2019) to $63.58/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.40/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 Laredo 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 Laredo
Contracting for fill-in or per-diem work holds unique earning opportunities for optometrists in Laredo. A professional working 24 hours a week might see an annual income considerably less than a full-time counterpart, which can be a limiting factor for many. Per-diem optometrists at retail chains typically command earnings between $500 and $800 per day, while those filling in at OD/MD practices often earn $700 to $1,200 daily. In hospital systems, residency-trained ocular disease optometrists can earn a substantial hourly rate between $90 and $130. Within Laredo, hourly rates can fluctuate based on the employer type—private practices, retail optical chains, and ophthalmology clinics each have different pay structures. Optometrists might have to make trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and positions with salaries that include health insurance. Understanding these variables is crucial for successful negotiation; factors such as patient load and benefits should be weighed carefully before accepting offers within the evolving landscape of optometry employment in Laredo.
More salary data for Laredo, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Laredo in 2026?
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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 Laredo. 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 Laredo 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