Optometrists Salary in California
Optometrists in California make a median of $137,070 a year, or about $65.9 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $213K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $137K get you in California?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level optometrists (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $137K. Top earners bring in $213K or more, a $142K spread from bottom to top.
Optometrists salary by metro in California
19 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $166K | +21% | 80 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $158K | +15% | 980 |
| Vallejo | $156K | +14% | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $154K | +13% | 490 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $153K | +11% | 40 |
| Salinas | $150K | +9% | 30 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $149K | +9% | 380 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $140K | +2% | 30 |
| Modesto | $137K | +0% | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $137K | +0% | 2,720 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $135K | -2% | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $135K | -2% | 90 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $134K | -2% | 540 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $132K | -4% | 550 |
| Chico | $132K | -4% | 40 |
| Visalia | $131K | -5% | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $130K | -6% | 120 |
| Fresno | $129K | -6% | 160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $125K | -9% | 110 |
Showing 1–10 of 19 metros
Compare to other states
Track optometrists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do optometrists make in California?
The median is $137,070 a year, that works out to about $66 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,860, and experienced optometrists can clear $213,420. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $137K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,963/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 31% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a optometrists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median optometrists salary is worth about $129,141 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do optometrists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.