Optometrist Hourly Pay in Oklahoma City, OK: $51.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Oklahoma City, OK runs $51.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,974 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Oklahoma City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,787 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Oklahoma City, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a median of $51.91, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $67.60. This financial difference may impact both full-time and part-time professionals in the area, particularly those working three days a week or per diem. For part-time optometrists, especially those in retail optical chains, private exam rooms, or VA clinics, the ability to earn a steady income hinges on this hourly rate. The range of pay varies significantly; entry-level optometrists may start at around $36.92, while experienced professionals can command up to $83.81 per hour, reflecting a diverse earning potential that accommodates both new graduates and seasoned practitioners.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.92 | $295.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.05 | $304.43 |
| Median (P50) | $51.91 | $415.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.84 | $606.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.81 | $670.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oklahoma City
Based on $51.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.91/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oklahoma City, OK can expect to earn approximately $107,978 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,295. With a cost-of-living index of 90.41 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oklahoma City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oklahoma City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,076.50 | $8,998 | $107,978 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,245.90 | $5,399 | $64,787 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $830.60 | $3,599 | $43,191 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Oklahoma City) | $51.91 |
| 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 Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $107,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.21% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 13.60% below the Oklahoma state average of $124,970.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.91/hr = $64,787/year (purchasing power: $71,660).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,978/year (purchasing power: $119,434).
CoL index: 90.408 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+71.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Oklahoma City grew 61.9% from $31.14/hr (2019) to $50.42/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.45/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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
When examining the earning potential for part-time or per-diem optometrists in Oklahoma City, working just three days a week equates to an annual income significantly lower than that of their full-time counterparts. Typically, a per diem optometrist can anticipate billing between $500 and $800 per day at retail optical chains, with daily rates rising to $700-$1,200 in OD/MD practices. This creates a dynamic where critically trained optometrists, such as those specializing in ocular disease, often see pay rates of $90-$130 per hour as 1099 contractors. Hourly compensation varies across employer types; for instance, private practices may offer lower rates compared to larger retail chains, which might attract optometrists looking for the stability of health insurance benefits. For those considering negotiating pay in Oklahoma City, it is vital to weigh the trade-offs between hourly wages and benefits, ensuring they align with personal financial goals and work-life balance.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Oklahoma City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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