Optometrist Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $67.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $67.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,313 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,793 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly rate of $67.94, optometrists in Salt Lake City, UT, enjoy a competitive edge over the national median of $67.60. This figure not only reflects the potential earnings for full-time practitioners but also allows for attractive opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers. Those opting to work three days a week can find lucrative arrangements in various settings—from private optometry exam rooms to retail chains and VA outpatient clinics. The hourly compensation spans from $24.77 for entry-level positions to around $85.24 for highly experienced optometrists. This comprehensive insight into the optometrist hourly pay in Salt Lake City, backed by official 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlights the diverse financial prospects available across the region.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.77 | $198.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.93 | $319.42 |
| Median (P50) | $67.94 | $543.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.10 | $640.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.24 | $681.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $67.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.94/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $141,322 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,532. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,717.73 | $11,777 | $141,322 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,630.64 | $7,066 | $84,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,087.09 | $4,711 | $56,529 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Salt Lake City) | $67.94 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $141,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.50% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.40% above the Utah state average of $138,001.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.94/hr = $84,793/year (purchasing power: $84,064).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,322/year (purchasing power: $140,106).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+90.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Salt Lake City grew 80.0% from $36.66/hr (2019) to $65.99/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.95/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
In analyzing the earning potential, part-time optometrists working 24 hours a week can still garner impressive incomes compared to full-time practitioners. Those taking on per-diem roles can frequently bill anywhere from $500 to $800 a day in retail settings, while fill-in positions at OD/MD practices may garner $700 to $1,200 daily. Residency-trained optometrists in higher-demand specialties can command rates of $90 to $130 per hour in hospital systems, making per diem optometrist pay in Salt Lake City quite beneficial. While private practices may offer lower hourly rates, benefits such as health insurance are often the trade-off. Conversely, optometrists working with retail chains may forgo benefits for higher hourly pay. Negotiating compensation structures in this environment can be advantageous, especially when considering employer types such as private practices, ophthalmology clinics, and military health systems.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Salt Lake City in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Salt Lake City?
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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 Salt Lake City. 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