Optometrist Hourly Pay in Davis, CA: $64.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Davis, CA runs $64.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,847 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Davis's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,913 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $64.83 in Davis, California, optometrists earn a competitive wage, though it lags slightly behind the national median of $67.60. This hourly pay structure proves beneficial for part-time practitioners who might work three days a week, efficiently allowing them to balance their professional commitments with personal life. In a typical work setting—ranging from private optometry exam rooms to retail optical chains or VA outpatient clinics—entry-level optometrists can expect to earn around $37.60 per hour, while top earners in the field can reach up to $94.59 per hour. These figures are projected estimates derived from annual salary data, with a clear indication of how pay can fluctuate based on experience and workplace environment.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.60 | $300.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.82 | $414.56 |
| Median (P50) | $64.83 | $518.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.40 | $635.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.59 | $756.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Davis
Based on $64.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.83/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Davis, CA can expect to earn approximately $134,855 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,801. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Davis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Davis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,593.36 | $11,238 | $134,855 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,556.01 | $6,743 | $80,913 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,037.34 | $4,495 | $53,942 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Davis) | $64.83 |
| 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 Davis, CA earn a median of $134,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.10% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.20% below the California state average of $139,304.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.83/hr = $80,913/year (purchasing power: $71,541).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,855/year (purchasing power: $119,235).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $84.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Davis grew 18.5% from $53.14/hr (2019) to $62.97/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.75/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 Davis 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 Davis
Shifting to part-time employment, an optometrist working 24 hours a week in Davis could anticipate an annual take-home pay that may significantly differ from full-time counterparts. For instance, per-diem optometrists typically charge between $500-$800 per day at retail locations or between $700-$1,200 when filling in at OD/MD practices. Specialty positions, particularly for residency-trained ocular disease ODs, can command anywhere from $90-$130 per hour under a 1099 arrangement. The variety of employer types in Davis—ranging from private practices to retail chains and hospital systems—also leads to disparities in hourly rates. While some optometrists may opt for higher hourly wages in environments lacking benefits, others choose lower rates in exchange for health insurance and job security. When negotiating pay, understanding the nuances of retail optics versus private practices becomes critical for hourly workers in this evolving employment landscape.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Davis 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 Davis. 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 Davis 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