Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Davis, CA: $78,212 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Davis, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,212 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Davis's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,153 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,847) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the optometry field in 2026, the starting optometrist salary in Davis, California, presents both opportunities and challenges. Entry-level positions typically offer salaries beginning around $78,212, setting a considerable gap from the city’s median of $134,847. While the figure for newcomers may seem modest, there is considerable potential for salary growth as one moves along the career progression. With time and experience, starting salaries can reach approximately $107,793 within the first few years, and many practitioners can expect to approach the median figure as they build their patient base and skills. Overall, David currently represents a solid market for new graduates, offering a pathway to improve earnings significantly over a short period.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Davis
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
Entry-level optometrists in Davis, CA typically start between $78,212 and $107,793 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $118,536 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,847 — 4.1% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in California of $185,000 represents just 236.54% of the starting optometrist pay ($78,212/year) in Davis. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOE-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs. Public school OD programs offer lower in-state tuition, while private institutions carry higher out-of-pocket costs. Totals reflect tuition and fees for the 4-year professional program; clinical rotation travel and living costs add to the total cost of attendance.
OD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Davis
- 1Research the Davis market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $78,212 to $107,793, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the optometry field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Davis, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Davis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Davis's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Optometrist Compensation Range
The optometrist wage spread in Davis is $118,536 ( 151.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,212, experienced hygienists can earn up to $196,748.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,064
2025 BLS Actual
$75,963
2026 Current Est.
$78,212
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,064 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,637 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,489 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,575 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,963 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,212 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,527 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Davis, CA grew 26.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,064 in 2019 to $75,963 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,527. New graduates entering the Davis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your optometry Career in Davis
Employers in Davis looking to hire new optometry graduates often include retail chains such as LensCrafters, Visionworks, and MyEyeDr, which typically have structured mentoring programs for recent Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree holders. For those interested in more clinical settings, OD/MD practices frequently seek residency-trained optometrists, while the VA system provides pathways through residency programs as well. Credentials play a critical role in enhancing starting pay for new optometrists; having an OD from an ACOE-accredited school and passing the NBEO Parts I-III is essential. Additional certifications, such as a glaucoma certification or a one-year residency focused on ocular disease, can further boost earning potential. During the first one to three years, new graduates can expect to see average salary growth as they navigate evolving practice scopes that encompass glaucoma management and oral medications, maintaining competitiveness in a changing job market shaped by the consolidation of retail chains and private practices.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new optometry graduates. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Davis. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Davis is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov