1

Locum Optometry Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Optometrist - Locums

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. Housing and transportation is provided. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month ...

Optometrist - Locums

Fullerton, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. Housing and transportation is provided. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month ...

Optometrist - Locums

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month locum tenens assignment in a pediatric ...

Optometrist - Locums

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $145/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month locum tenens assignment in a pediatric ...

Optometrist - Locums

Oakland, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month locum tenens assignment in a pediatric ...

Optometrist - Locums

Fullerton, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. Housing and transportation is provided. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month ...

Optometrist - Locums

Berkeley, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $145/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month locum tenens assignment in a pediatric ...

Optometrist - Locums

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month locum tenens assignment in a pediatric ...

Optometrist - Locums

Oakland, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month locum tenens assignment in a pediatric ...

Optometrist - Locums

Berkeley, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $145/hr

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month locum tenens assignment in a pediatric ...

Locum Optometrist - OD - Modesto, CA Short staffed, their full-time OD went on Maternity leave and is now working very minimal hours. Need a full-time locum to see patients in Modesto. Hourly ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Locum Optometry information

See salary details

$65K

$124.2K

$185K

How much do locum optometry jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for locum optometry in the United States is $124,213.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is locum optometry?

Locum optometry refers to optometrists who work on a temporary or contractual basis, filling in for permanent staff at various clinics, hospitals, or optical practices. Locum optometrists may cover for vacations, staff shortages, or peak periods, and they often enjoy flexible schedules and diverse work environments. This role allows optometrists to gain broad experience across different settings while maintaining autonomy over their work commitments.

What is the difference between Locum Optometry vs Permanent Optometry?

AspectLocum OptometryPermanent Optometry
CredentialsRequires valid optometry license and sometimes temporary permitsRequires full licensure and possibly additional certifications
Work EnvironmentTemporary clinics, hospitals, or retail settingsLong-term clinics, private practices, or hospitals
Employment TypeShort-term, contract-basedFull-time or part-time, ongoing employment
Industry UsageCommon for filling staffing gaps or covering leaveStandard employment for stable practice operations

In summary, Locum Optometry offers flexible, short-term positions ideal for covering staffing needs, while Permanent Optometry provides ongoing employment within established practices. Both roles require proper licensure and are integral to the optometry industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Locum Optometrist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Locum Optometrist, you need a degree in optometry, registration with the relevant professional body, and strong clinical assessment skills. Familiarity with optical equipment, electronic health record systems, and often various practice management software is crucial. Excellent communication, adaptability, and the ability to quickly build rapport with new teams and patients set outstanding locum optometrists apart. These skills ensure high-quality patient care and smooth integration into different clinical environments, which is vital for success in temporary roles.

What are some common challenges faced by locum optometrists, and how can they be managed?

Locum optometrists often face the challenge of quickly adapting to new practice environments, systems, and patient demographics with each assignment. Building rapport with staff and patients in a short time frame and staying up-to-date with different equipment or procedures can require strong communication and flexibility. To manage these challenges, it helps to arrive early to become familiar with the clinic setup, proactively communicate with the team, and maintain an organized system for tracking appointments and patient notes. Many locum optometrists also network with colleagues for support and share best practices to ensure smooth transitions between placements.
More about Locum Optometry jobs
What cities are hiring for Locum Optometry jobs? Cities with the most Locum Optometry job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optometry jobs? The most popular types of Optometry jobs are:
What states have the most Locum Optometry jobs? States with the most job openings for Locum Optometry jobs include:
Infographic showing various Locum Optometry job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 34% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 43% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,213 per year, or $59.7 per hour.
Optometrist - Locums

Optometrist - Locums

Vivo HealthStaff

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Temporary

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Vivo HealthStaff is recruiting for a Locum Tenens Optometrist in San Francisco, California. Housing and transportation is provided.

We are seeking a California-licensed Optometrist for a 6-month locum tenens assignment in a pediatric-focused hospital outpatient setting. The ideal candidate has experience working with complex pediatric populations and is comfortable seeing patients of all cognitive abilities, including those on the autism spectrum and with developmental delays.

Position Details:

Job ID: 2805436
Specialty: Optometrist
Start Date: 05/05/2025
Contract Length: 26 Weeks
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Shifts: 5x8-hour shifts per week
Patients per Day: 12-14 patients; appointments scheduled every 30 minutes
First/Last Patient: 8:00 AM / 4:30 PM

Patient Population:

Primarily pediatric patients
Some adult patients with developmental delays or binocular vision issues (not required for locum to see adults)

Department Overview:

Outpatient hospital setting with support staff including techs, ophthalmologists, and optometrists
Department handles both routine and high-acuity pediatric optometry cases
Equipped with full diagnostic imaging devices
Optometrists conduct workups and manage patient care
Patients are often co-managed by other pediatric specialties, such as neurology and craniofacial teams

Preferred Skills and Experience:

Residency in pediatric optometry is highly preferred
If no pediatric residency, at least 3 years of pediatric optometry experience required
Experience with strabismus and binocular vision exams
Ability to perform contact lens fitting, including complex fittings for pediatric patients

EMR: Epic

Requirements:

Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree
Active California optometry license
BLS certification
Experience working with pediatric populations, including those with complex needs

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay Rate: $125-145 per hour depending on experience
Payment: Weekly direct deposit
Insurance: Malpractice insurance provided
Support: Dedicated recruiter assistance throughout the assignment

Onboarding Process:

Expedited credentialing available
Assistance with compliance and facility paperwork
Orientation provided before the start date

About Vivo HealthStaff:

Vivo HealthStaff is a locum tenens staffing firm specializing in placing healthcare professionals in temporary and long-term assignments across the United States. We are committed to


Vivo HealthStaff logo

About Vivo HealthStaff

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Vivo HealthStaff provides permanent recruitment services for both clinical and administrative positions in the healthcare sector. Over the past 2 years, our clients have seen a 98% retention rate with Vivo HealthStaff placements.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Dublin, CA, US

Year founded

2016

Social media