Optometrist Salary

Chino vs Los Angeles: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Chino, CA
$140,883
$67.74/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$143,053
$68.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChino, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$140,883$143,053
Hourly Rate$67.74$68.78
Entry Level (P10)$81,712$75,717
25th Percentile$111,563$131,325
75th Percentile$168,476$166,188
Top Earner (P90)$203,888$215,732
Total Employed172,360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chino ($140,883) and Los Angeles ($143,053) optometrist salaries.ChinoLos AngelesMedian Salary$140,883$143,053Entry Level (P10)$81,712$75,717Top Earner (P90)$203,888$215,732US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chino and Los Angeles is $2,170 (1.54%). 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 Chino spans $122,176,Los Angeles spans $140,015. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Chino
P10 (Entry)$81,712
P25$111,563
Median$140,883
P75$168,476
P90 (Top)$203,888
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 1.12% more than Chino ($124,565 effective).

Chino
Nominal: $140,883
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $124,565
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 Chino 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 Chino grew -25.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.5% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Chino, CA

+-25.2%

$182,970 (2024) → $136,833 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+14.5%

$121,370 (2019) → $138,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Chino or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median optometrist salary at $143,053/year, compared to Chino at $140,883/year — a difference of $2,170 (1.54%).

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

Chino optometrists earn $67.74/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $68.78/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chino and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chino = $124,565, Los Angeles = $125,965), job availability (17 vs 2,360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $81,712 in Chino and $75,717 in Los Angeles. The Chino 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