Optometrist Hourly Pay in St. George, UT: $39.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in St. George, UT runs $39.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,358 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against St. George's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,419 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in St. George, Utah, can expect a median hourly pay of $39.60 as of 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $67.60. This hourly rate offers various opportunities for part-time and per-diem optometrists working in diverse settings, such as private exam rooms, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics. The hourly pay range in St. George spans from $18.80 at the lower end (P10) to $245.30 for top earners (P90), making it a field that can accommodate both entry-level practitioners and those with substantial experience. Given these figures, optometrists can find flexible working arrangements in the area, balancing their hours to fit personal schedules while drawing from the official BLS data.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.80 | $150.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.23 | $185.82 |
| Median (P50) | $39.60 | $316.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.66 | $669.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $245.30 | $1962.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. George
Based on $39.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.60/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. George, UT can expect to earn approximately $82,365 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,518. With a cost-of-living index of 97.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. George.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. George
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,583.94 | $6,864 | $82,365 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.36 | $4,118 | $49,419 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.57 | $2,745 | $32,946 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (St. George) | $39.60 |
| 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 St. George, UT earn a median of $82,358 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.43% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 40.30% below the Utah state average of $137,953.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.60/hr = $49,419/year (purchasing power: $50,779).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,365/year (purchasing power: $84,632).
CoL index: 97.321 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in St. George (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in St. George grew -9.1% from $42.33/hr (2019) to $38.46/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.77/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 St. George 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 St. George
When looking at the potential earnings for an optometrist working three days a week, which typically amounts to around 24 hours of work, the annual income contrasts starkly with that of full-time practitioners. Per diem optometrists in St. George often find themselves in diverse environments, with daily rates ranging significantly based on their place of employment. For instance, retail optical chain fill-ins can command between $500-$800 per day, while OD/MD practices may offer between $700 and $1,200 for similar roles. Residency-trained optometrists taking on fill-in shifts at hospital systems can see compensation of $90 to $130 per hour. Hourly rates vary by the type of employer, whether it's private practices, retail chains (e.g., LensCrafters, Visionworks), or military health systems. Some optometrists may choose positions that offer lower hourly compensation but come with health benefits, indicating a negotiation trade-off that aligns with their long-term career goals. Understanding market dynamics and leveraging the specifics of the local job market in St. George can equip optometrists with the information they need to make informed career decisions.
More salary data for St. George, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in St. George 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 St. George. 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