Optometrist Salary

Beaumont vs Los Angeles: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Beaumont, CA
$135,399
$65.09/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$143,053
$68.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeaumont, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$135,399$143,053
Hourly Rate$65.09$68.78
Entry Level (P10)$78,531$75,717
25th Percentile$108,884$131,325
75th Percentile$166,440$166,188
Top Earner (P90)$199,070$215,732
Total Employed92,360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beaumont ($135,399) and Los Angeles ($143,053) optometrist salaries.BeaumontLos AngelesMedian Salary$135,399$143,053Entry Level (P10)$78,531$75,717Top Earner (P90)$199,070$215,732US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Beaumont and Los Angeles is $7,654 (5.65%). 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 Beaumont spans $120,539,Los Angeles spans $140,015. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Beaumont
P10 (Entry)$78,531
P25$108,884
Median$135,399
P75$166,440
P90 (Top)$199,070
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 5.22% more than Beaumont ($119,716 effective).

Beaumont
Nominal: $135,399
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $119,716
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 Beaumont 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 Beaumont grew -25.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.5% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Beaumont, CA

+-25.2%

$175,847 (2024) → $131,506 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+14.5%

$121,370 (2019) → $138,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Beaumont or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median optometrist salary at $143,053/year, compared to Beaumont at $135,399/year — a difference of $7,654 (5.65%).

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

Beaumont optometrists earn $65.09/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $68.78/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beaumont and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beaumont = $119,716, Los Angeles = $125,965), job availability (9 vs 2,360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $78,531 in Beaumont and $75,717 in Los Angeles. The Beaumont 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