Optometrist Salary

Optometrist Hourly Pay in Leavenworth, KS: $60.10 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Leavenworth, KS runs $60.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,999 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Leavenworth's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,002 per year.

$124,999
Median Annual Salary
$60.10/hr
Hourly Rate
$72,499
Entry Level (P10)
$184,727
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrist Hourly Rate in Leavenworth, KS — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Leavenworth, KS optometrist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, optometrists in Leavenworth, Kansas, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $60.10, notably lower than the national median of $67.60. This discrepancy highlights the financial implications for part-time or per-diem optometrists in the region, particularly those working in various settings such as private practices, retail optical chains, VA medical centers, and university teaching clinics. For example, an optometrist working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can expect to take home about $63,000 annually. The hourly pay range in Leavenworth extends from $34.85 at the entry-level (P10) to $88.81 for top earners (P90), reflecting the varied nature of optometric practice and the demand for skilled professionals within the local healthcare market.

About the Leavenworth Market

Salary estimated from Kansas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$34.85$278.82
Lower Range (P25)$47.36$378.89
Median (P50)$60.10$480.78
Upper Range (P75)$71.09$568.75
Top Earners (P90)$88.81$710.51

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leavenworth

Based on $60.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a optometrist in Leavenworth earning $60.10/hr would make approximately $72,117 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $125,003 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$72,117Reduced (32 hr/wk)$96,156Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$125,003

At $60.10/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leavenworth, KS can expect to earn approximately $125,003 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,117. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leavenworth.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$480.78
per 8hr shift
$2,403.91
per week
$10,417
per month
$125,003
per year

Schedule Comparison in Leavenworth

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,403.91$10,417$125,003
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,442.35$6,250$75,002
Per Diem (16 hrs)$961.56$4,167$50,001

Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Optometrist (Leavenworth)$60.10
Dentist, General (National Avg)$79.54
Pharmacist (National Avg)$66.51
Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg)$21.11
Physician Assistant (National Avg)$64.13
Horizontal bar chart comparing optometrist median salary in Leavenworth ($124,999) with Kansas average ($127,810) and the US national median ($140,612).Leavenworth$124,999Kansas Avg$127,810-2.20%US National$140,612-11.10%

Optometrists in Leavenworth, KS earn a median of $124,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.10% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% below the Kansas state average of $127,810.

Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $60.10/hr = $75,002/year (purchasing power: $82,510).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,003/year (purchasing power: $137,517).

CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$49.26/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$58.37/hr

2026 Current Est.

$60.10/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+25.6%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Leavenworth (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for optometrists in Leavenworth. Baseline $49.26/hr in 2025, projected to $61.88/hr by 2027.$47$51$56$60$642019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$49.26$50.45$53.13$53.68$56.36$54.71$58.37$60.10$61.88
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$49.26/hrActual
2020$50.45/hrActual
2021$53.13/hrActual
2022$53.68/hrActual
2023$56.36/hrActual
2024$54.71/hrActual
2025$58.37/hrActual
2026(current)$60.10/hrEstimated
2027$61.88/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Leavenworth grew 18.5% from $49.26/hr (2019) to $58.37/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.88/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leavenworth metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Leavenworth

When exploring earning potential, part-time optometrists in Leavenworth often face a trade-off between flexibility and overall pay. Those working per diem arrangements frequently earn higher rates; for instance, fill-in optometrists at retail chains might bill between $500 and $800 per day, while collaborating with OD/MD practices can command from $700 to $1,200 daily. Furthermore, residency-trained ocular disease optometrists are positioned to earn hourly rates of $90 to $130 at hospital systems. There are significant differences in pay depending on the employer type; private practices and retail chains may offer varying benefits, which can influence compensation. Optometrists prioritizing health insurance may accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for stability, while others might pursue higher pay without benefits. Negotiating hourly rates in Leavenworth involves demonstrating sufficient experience, understanding local market conditions, and explicitly communicating value to attract competitive compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Leavenworth in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for optometrists in Leavenworth is $60.10/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.96% annual growth). Rates range from $34.85 at entry level (10th percentile) to $88.81 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 11.1% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time optometrists make in Leavenworth?

A part-time optometrist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Leavenworth earns approximately $6,250/month, or $75,002/year at the median hourly rate of $60.10. Many optometrists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are optometrists in Leavenworth paid hourly or salary?

The majority of optometrists in Leavenworth are paid hourly at a median rate of $60.10/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $125,003/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Leavenworth?

A full-time optometrist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Leavenworth earns approximately $125,003/year at the median hourly rate of $60.10. This is 11.1% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $184,732/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Leavenworth?

Part-time and per diem optometrists in Leavenworth sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $88.81/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Kansas

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

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 Leavenworth. 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 Leavenworth is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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