Optometrist Salary

Antioch vs Los Angeles: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Antioch, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Antioch, CA
$137,628
$66.16/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$143,053
$68.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAntioch, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$137,628$143,053
Hourly Rate$66.16$68.78
Entry Level (P10)$79,824$75,717
25th Percentile$108,998$131,325
75th Percentile$170,370$166,188
Top Earner (P90)$210,145$215,732
Total Employed172,360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Antioch ($137,628) and Los Angeles ($143,053) optometrist salaries.AntiochLos AngelesMedian Salary$137,628$143,053Entry Level (P10)$79,824$75,717Top Earner (P90)$210,145$215,732US Median $140,612

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Antioch.

The salary gap between Antioch and Los Angeles is $5,425 (3.94%). Los Angeles's median is +1.74% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Antioch spans $130,321,Los Angeles spans $140,015. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Antioch
P10 (Entry)$79,824
P25$108,998
Median$137,628
P75$170,370
P90 (Top)$210,145
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$75,717
P25$131,325
Median$143,053
P75$166,188
P90 (Top)$215,732

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($125,965 effective) pays 3.52% more than Antioch ($121,687 effective).

Antioch
Nominal: $137,628
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $121,687
Los Angeles
Nominal: $143,053
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $125,965

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Antioch if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,053/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($215,732)
  • Larger job market (2,360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,965)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Antioch grew -25.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.5% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Antioch, CA

+-25.2%

$178,741 (2024) → $133,671 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+14.5%

$121,370 (2019) → $138,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Antioch or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median optometrist salary at $143,053/year, compared to Antioch at $137,628/year — a difference of $5,425 (3.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Antioch and Los Angeles?

Antioch optometrists earn $66.16/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $68.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Antioch to Los Angeles as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Antioch and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Antioch = $121,687, Los Angeles = $125,965), job availability (17 vs 2,360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Antioch vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $79,824 in Antioch and $75,717 in Los Angeles. The Antioch area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov