Optometrist Salary in Alameda, CA: $135,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Alameda, CA earns a median $135,321/year (≈ $65.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Alameda's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $119,647 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an optometrist in Alameda, CA, can anticipate a median annual salary of $135,321, slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range varies significantly, from approximately $78,486 at the 10th percentile to $203,395 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, reflect the impact of California's expansive scope of practice, which includes the treatment of glaucoma, the prescription of oral medications, and the execution of certain laser procedures. With the profession’s evolving responsibilities and high demand for comprehensive eye care, Alamedans can expect competitive compensation for their expertise.
About the Alameda Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,486 | $37.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,731 | $52.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,321 | $65.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,462 | $80.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,395 | $97.79 |
Median Salary Position
3.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alameda
In Alameda, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,909 (2026 est.). At $135,321, the local median is 3.76% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alameda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alameda Optometrist Pay Compares
Alameda median: $135,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alameda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,363 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.76% less |
Optometrists in Alameda, CA earn a median of $135,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.76% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.90% below the California state average of $139,363.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alameda has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alameda, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,321 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,647 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,913
2025 BLS Actual
$131,431
2026 Current Est.
$135,321
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Alameda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,913 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,608 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,623 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,864 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,898 | Actual |
| 2024 | $175,747 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,431 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alameda metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,913 (2019) to $131,431 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,414 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alameda 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,486 – $108,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,731 – $135,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,321 – $166,462 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,462 – $203,395 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Alameda
The local job market in Alameda supports a modest number of optometrists, with only 12 practitioners currently employed. This limited supply intensifies competition for the available roles, contributing to the compensation seen in the area. However, the cost of living index in Alameda stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are reasonable, they may not stretch as far as those in lower-cost regions. Among local employers, private optometry practices may provide higher pay given the potential for ownership equity, while retail chains can offer stable employment but at generally lower wage levels. Individuals looking to maximize optometrist pay in Alameda should consider pursuing residency training to enhance their qualifications. Entering specialized fields such as ocular disease or the OD/MD collaboration model could lead to lucrative opportunities as well, especially as the market shifts toward private equity ownership of practices.
More salary data for Alameda, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $131,431 for optometristsin the Alameda metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alameda 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