Optometrist Hourly Pay in Kirkland, WA: $72.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Kirkland, WA runs $72.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $150,506 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Kirkland's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $90,306 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kirkland, Washington, the projected optometrist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $72.36, a figure that surpasses the national median of $67.60. This competitive hourly rate provides ample opportunity for part-time and per-diem work, commonly found in various settings such as private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and hospital ophthalmology practices. For those working part-time, specifically three days a week, earning at this median rate means they can expect a significant income even without full-time hours. The total hourly compensation can range from $41.97 for entry-level positions up to $105.19 for the most experienced optometrists, reflecting the diverse opportunity for earnings in this field.
About the Kirkland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.97 | $335.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.03 | $448.25 |
| Median (P50) | $72.36 | $578.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.82 | $694.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.19 | $841.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kirkland
Based on $72.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $72.36/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kirkland, WA can expect to earn approximately $150,509 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $86,832. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kirkland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kirkland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,894.41 | $12,542 | $150,509 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,736.65 | $7,525 | $90,306 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,157.76 | $5,017 | $60,204 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Kirkland) | $72.36 |
| 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 Kirkland, WA earn a median of $150,506 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.04% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.30% below the Washington state average of $150,959.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $72.36/hr = $90,306/year (purchasing power: $84,083).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $150,509/year (purchasing power: $140,139).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$59.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$72.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Kirkland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $67.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Kirkland grew 18.5% from $59.31/hr (2019) to $70.28/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.50/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 Kirkland 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 Kirkland
Taking a closer look at the earning potential, a part-time optometrist working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would earn approximately $56,616 annually, a reasonable income considering their flexible schedule. Per-diem optometrists can command daily rates varying between $500 and $1,200 depending on the setting, such as retail chains or OD/MD practices. Additionally, hospital systems often offer residency-trained ocular disease ODs hourly rates between $90 and $130, emphasizing the value of specialized training. Kirkland's various employment types—from solo and group practices to large retail chains like LensCrafters—affect hourly wages significantly, as optometrists may choose the trade-off between lower hourly pay with benefits and higher pay without. For those working in this competitive market, effective negotiation skills can prove beneficial, particularly when securing consistent employment as a per diem optometrist in Kirkland.
More salary data for Kirkland, WA:
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 Kirkland. 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 Kirkland 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