Optometrist Hourly Pay in Payson, UT: $62.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Payson, UT runs $62.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,545 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Payson's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,726 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist hourly pay in Payson, Utah, is projected to reach a median of $62.28, which is notably lower than the national median of $67.60. This hourly rate has implications for those seeking part-time or per-diem work, where optometrists might find themselves working typical shifts in environments like private exam rooms, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics. For part-time professionals working about three days a week, the opportunity to earn within an hourly range of $36.12 to $84.41 offers a flexible income structure but may challenge those on the lower end of the scale. The current market reflects a combination of varying levels of experience, with entry-level positions starting closer to $36.12 per hour, while seasoned optometrists can aspire to the upper echelons of the pay scale, around $84.41.
About the Payson Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.12 | $288.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.01 | $424.11 |
| Median (P50) | $62.28 | $498.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.88 | $575.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.41 | $675.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Payson
Based on $62.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.28/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Payson, UT can expect to earn approximately $129,543 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,737. With a cost-of-living index of 98.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Payson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Payson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,491.22 | $10,795 | $129,543 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,494.73 | $6,477 | $77,726 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $996.49 | $4,318 | $51,817 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Payson) | $62.28 |
| 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 Payson, UT earn a median of $129,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.87% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 6.10% below the Utah state average of $137,961.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.28/hr = $77,726/year (purchasing power: $79,231).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,543/year (purchasing power: $132,052).
CoL index: 98.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Payson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Payson grew 18.5% from $51.05/hr (2019) to $60.49/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.12/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 Payson 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 Payson
Looking more closely at the potential for earnings, those opting for a part-time, three-day workweek can take home a lower annual income compared to full-time practitioners, which highlights the balance between work-life flexibility and financial benefits. Per diem optometrist pay in Payson can be quite lucrative, with retail chains often paying $500 to $800 for daily shifts and private practices offering rates as high as $700 to $1,200, especially for fill-in positions. However, residency-trained optometrists may command upwards of $90 to $130 per hour within hospital systems. Different employer types affect hourly compensation significantly—private practices, retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision, and military health systems all present varying patterns of pay, causing some optometrists to choose positions that offer lower hourly rates in exchange for valuable benefits like health insurance. For those seeking new opportunities in Payson, understanding these dynamics and negotiating effectively can lead to a more favorable employment outcome in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Payson, UT:
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 Payson. 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 Payson 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