SOC 29-1041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Optometrists — California
California · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $136,300 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $136,570.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $136,300 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $136,570. Half of workers earn between $122,960 and $166,300. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $99,890 and the ninetieth at $213,710.
The area has 6,890 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, California ranks 22nd by median wage. Santa Rosa leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $165,360. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 77th of 793 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $99,890 | −26.9% |
| 25th | $122,960 | −10.0% |
| Median (50th) | $136,300 | −0.2% |
| 75th | $166,300 | +21.8% |
| 90th | $213,710 | +56.5% |
| Mean | $147,420 | +7.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa | $165,360 | 80 | |
| 2 | Vallejo | $155,950 | 90 | |
| 3 | San Francisco | $142,580 | 1,180 | |
| 4 | Santa Maria | $140,160 | 50 | |
| 5 | Chico | $139,890 | 30 | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $139,020 | 510 | |
| 7 | Los Angeles | $138,940 | 2,360 | |
| 8 | Modesto | $137,480 | 90 | |
| 9 | Fresno | $136,730 | 100 | |
| 10 | San Jose | $135,330 | 580 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $136,300 buys what $123,126 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 9.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$136,300as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$123,126US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $136,300 a year, 0.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $99,890 to $213,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,890 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 22nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Rosa, at $165,360.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Optometrists in California?
The median annual wage is $136,300, or $65.53 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $136,570, so pay in California is 0.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $213,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $99,890 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Santa Rosa, at $165,360 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,890 jobs in this occupation in California. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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