Optometrist Hourly Pay in Shoreline, WA: $72.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Shoreline, WA runs $72.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $151,475 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Shoreline's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $90,884 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Shoreline, Washington, are expected to earn a median hourly rate of $72.82, which surpasses the national median of $67.60. This robust hourly rate presents diverse earning opportunities for full-time, part-time, and per-diem optometrists in various settings, such as private practices, retail optical chains, and outpatient clinics. For those working part-time—like three-day-a-week positions—they can expect to earn significant wages working around 24 hours weekly. The hourly earnings for optometrists in Shoreline range broadly from an entry-level rate of $42.23 to $107.05 for top earners. Though hourly pay is derived from projected annual salary estimates, it reflects the competitive nature of the optometry field within this region of Washington.
About the Shoreline Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.23 | $337.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.96 | $455.66 |
| Median (P50) | $72.82 | $582.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.91 | $703.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.05 | $856.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shoreline
Based on $72.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $72.82/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shoreline, WA can expect to earn approximately $151,473 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $87,388. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Shoreline.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shoreline
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,912.94 | $12,623 | $151,473 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,747.77 | $7,574 | $90,884 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,165.18 | $5,049 | $60,589 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Shoreline) | $72.82 |
| 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 Shoreline, WA earn a median of $151,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.73% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.30% above the Washington state average of $151,022.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $72.82/hr = $90,884/year (purchasing power: $84,622).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $151,473/year (purchasing power: $141,036).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$59.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$72.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Shoreline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Shoreline grew 18.5% from $59.69/hr (2019) to $70.73/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.98/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 Shoreline 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 Shoreline
For part-time optometrists working three days a week, the annual take-home can be quite substantial when compared to a full-time position. Many optometrists engaged on a per-diem basis can command impressive daily rates, billing anywhere from $500 to $800 in retail settings, while those filling in at OD/MD practices typically earn between $700 and $1,200 per day. Residency-trained ocular disease specialists might even see per diem optometrist pay in Shoreline reach $90 to $130 per hour when working as 1099 contractors. These hourly rates can differ greatly depending on the type of employer; private practices may offer lower hourly pays but include benefits such as health insurance, while retail chains offer higher hourly compensations without benefits. When negotiating pay, it's essential for optometrists in Shoreline to consider the value of employee benefits against the appeal of higher pay without coverage, weighing factors like job stability and work-life balance in their career decisions.
More salary data for Shoreline, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Shoreline in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Shoreline?
Are optometrists in Shoreline paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Shoreline?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Shoreline?
Related Pages
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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 Shoreline. 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 Shoreline 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