Optometrist Hourly Pay in Liberty, MO: $59.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Liberty, MO runs $59.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,159 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Liberty's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,501 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberty, Missouri, the projected optometrist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $59.70, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $67.60. This hourly wage is indicative of a market that could offer various work arrangements, particularly for part-time optometrists who may choose to work three days a week. For instance, part-time practitioners working in settings such as private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, or VA outpatient clinics can expect to earn between $34.63 and $83.33 per hour, providing flexibility in scheduling while still maintaining a solid income. With the hourly rates driven by annual salary estimates, those entering the field can anticipate starting closer to the lower end of the range, while experienced optometrists can command the higher rates due to their expertise and specialty.
About the Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.63 | $277.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.61 | $380.87 |
| Median (P50) | $59.70 | $477.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.88 | $559.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.33 | $666.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberty
Based on $59.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.70/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberty, MO can expect to earn approximately $124,168 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,635. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberty.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberty
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,387.85 | $10,347 | $124,168 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,432.71 | $6,208 | $74,501 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $955.14 | $4,139 | $49,667 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Liberty) | $59.70 |
| 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 Liberty, MO earn a median of $124,159 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.70% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.50% below the Missouri state average of $126,050.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.70/hr = $74,501/year (purchasing power: $83,148).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,168/year (purchasing power: $138,580).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Liberty grew 18.5% from $48.93/hr (2019) to $57.98/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.46/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 Liberty 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 Liberty
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time versus full-time work in Liberty reveals significant differences. For a 3-day work week totaling 24 hours, a part-time optometrist can expect to take home around $74,481 annually, a stark contrast to the earnings of full-time colleagues. The per diem optometrist pay in Liberty can vary widely; those filling in at retail chains frequently bill $500-$800 per day, while positions in more specialized OD/MD practices can yield $700-$1,200 daily. Through provider types, the compensation landscape further diversifies: private practices may offer lower hourly rates but include benefits, while commercial optical chains might pay more per hour but lack comprehensive healthcare options. Optometrists negotiating their hourly pay should highlight their unique skills, particularly those with residency training or those equipped for expanded scopes of practice, to maximize their salary potential as the industry continues evolving under the aegis of the AOA.
More salary data for Liberty, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Liberty. 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 Liberty 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