Optometrists Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Optometrists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA make a median of $134,250 a year, or about $64.54 an hour. The range runs from $101K at the entry level to $232K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $119,984 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 37.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $134K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad’s Regional Price Parity (111.89). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level optometrists (10th percentile) start around $101K. Mid-career wages sit at $134K. Top earners bring in $232K or more, a $131K spread from bottom to top.
Optometrists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $166K | +23% | 70 |
| New York | $163K | +21% | 2,500 |
| Maryland | $158K | +17% | 870 |
| Washington | $158K | +17% | 930 |
| Vermont | $156K | +16% | 100 |
| New Jersey | $156K | +16% | 950 |
| New Mexico | $155K | +15% | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $154K | +14% | 60 |
| North Carolina | $154K | +14% | 1,400 |
| Massachusetts | $151K | +12% | 1,120 |
| Minnesota | $150K | +11% | 700 |
| Nevada | $147K | +9% | 360 |
| Rhode Island | $144K | +7% | 220 |
| Connecticut | $143K | +6% | 410 |
| Delaware | $138K | +2% | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $138K | +2% | 750 |
| South Carolina | $137K | +2% | 480 |
| California | $137K | +2% | 6,790 |
| Hawaii | $137K | +1% | 230 |
| Illinois | $136K | +1% | 1,670 |
| Arizona | $134K | -0% | 960 |
| Maine | $133K | -1% | 170 |
| Kentucky | $132K | -2% | 500 |
| Michigan | $132K | -2% | 1,330 |
| New Hampshire | $130K | -3% | 200 |
| West Virginia | $130K | -3% | 150 |
| Ohio | $130K | -4% | 1,450 |
| Alabama | $130K | -4% | 470 |
| Georgia | $130K | -4% | 860 |
| Florida | $130K | -4% | 2,280 |
| North Dakota | $129K | -4% | 180 |
| Kansas | $129K | -5% | 460 |
| Texas | $128K | -5% | 3,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $128K | -5% | 1,530 |
| Indiana | $127K | -6% | 960 |
| Utah | $125K | -7% | 410 |
| Louisiana | $120K | -11% | 230 |
| Iowa | $120K | -11% | 460 |
| Oregon | $120K | -11% | 560 |
| South Dakota | $119K | -12% | 200 |
| Nebraska | $117K | -13% | 370 |
| Missouri | $113K | -16% | 660 |
| Tennessee | $111K | -18% | 590 |
| Montana | $109K | -19% | 150 |
| Mississippi | $108K | -20% | 250 |
| Arkansas | $100K | -26% | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $99K | -27% | 580 |
| Wyoming | $88K | -34% | 90 |
| Idaho | $67K | -50% | 270 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track optometrists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do optometrists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $134,250 a year, that works out to about $65 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $101,390, and experienced optometrists can clear $232,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $134K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,824/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month, which eats 38.4% 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median optometrists salary is worth about $119,984 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.