Optometrist Hourly Pay in Ontario, CA: $65.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Ontario, CA runs $65.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,642 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Ontario's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,388 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ontario, California, the projected optometrist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $65.21, which is slightly below the national average of $67.60. This hourly rate provides a solid earning potential for those in both traditional roles and flexible positions, such as part-time (working three days a week) and per-diem optometrists. In typical work settings—ranging from private optometry exam rooms and retail optical chains to VA outpatient clinics—hourly compensation varies significantly. Entry-level optometrists can expect rates starting around $37.83, while experienced professionals at the top of the pay scale could earn as much as $97.82 per hour. Such financial insights are critical for current optometry students and licensed ODs considering their career trajectories in Ontario, CA, particularly in an evolving field that includes expanded scopes of practice.
About the Ontario 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) | $37.83 | $302.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.52 | $404.18 |
| Median (P50) | $65.21 | $521.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.54 | $636.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.82 | $782.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ontario
Based on $65.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.21/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ontario, CA can expect to earn approximately $135,647 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,258. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ontario.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ontario
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,608.59 | $11,304 | $135,647 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,565.16 | $6,782 | $81,388 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,043.44 | $4,522 | $54,259 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Ontario) | $65.21 |
| 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 Ontario, CA earn a median of $135,642 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.53% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.70% below the California state average of $139,406.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.21/hr = $81,388/year (purchasing power: $71,961).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,647/year (purchasing power: $119,935).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Ontario (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $89.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Ontario grew 18.5% from $53.45/hr (2019) to $63.34/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.15/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 Ontario 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 Ontario
In terms of earning potential, a part-time optometrist working three days a week for a total of approximately 24 hours could bring home a respectable income, but it would not match the full-time earnings of their counterparts. While full-time roles can lead to more stable income and benefits, part-time optometrists often enjoy greater schedule flexibility. Per diem optometrists in Ontario typically command between $500 to $800 per day at retail chains, while those filling in at OD/MD practices may fetch $700 to $1,200 daily. It's also worth noting that residency-trained ocular disease optometrists can command between $90 to $130 per hour in hospital settings, emphasizing the earning disparities based on skill set and employment type. In Ontario, compensation can differ across various employer types, such as private practices versus larger optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Consequently, some optometrists may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, which can provide a safety net that higher-hourly positions do not offer. Negotiating hourly pay effectively requires understanding the market and being prepared to discuss not only financial compensation but also benefits, a critical factor in determining overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Ontario, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Ontario in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Ontario?
Are optometrists in Ontario paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Ontario?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Ontario?
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 Ontario. 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 Ontario 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