Optometrist Salary in Alhambra, CA: $137,297 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Alhambra, CA earns a median $137,297/year (≈ $66.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Alhambra's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $121,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected optometrist salary in Alhambra, California is $137,297, placing it slightly below the national median of $140,612. Optometrists in Alhambra can expect to see salaries ranging from $80,234 at the 10th percentile to as high as $205,640 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, reflecting the unique demands and responsibilities of the profession in the area. With the expanding scope of practice in California—including the management of glaucoma, the prescription of oral medications, and participation in laser procedures—those in the optometry field may find that their earning potential is influenced by these advanced roles, ultimately shaping the local job market dynamics.
About the Alhambra Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,234 | $38.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,678 | $54.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,297 | $66.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,802 | $78.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,640 | $98.86 |
Median Salary Position
2.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alhambra
In Alhambra, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,406 (2026 est.). At $137,297, the local median is 2.36% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alhambra: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alhambra Optometrist Pay Compares
Alhambra median: $137,297/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alhambra Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,388 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.36% less |
Optometrists in Alhambra, CA earn a median of $137,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.36% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.50% below the California state average of $139,388.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alhambra has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alhambra, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,297 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,394 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,533
2025 BLS Actual
$133,350
2026 Current Est.
$137,297
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Alhambra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,533 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,267 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,369 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,629 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,751 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,312 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,297 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,361 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alhambra metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,533 (2019) to $133,350 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,361 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,828 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alhambra 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) | $80,234 – $112,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,678 – $137,297 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,297 – $162,802 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,802 – $205,640 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Alhambra
Examining the local employment context, Alhambra has a workforce of 13 optometrists. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, which indicates that despite the relatively healthy salaries on offer, purchasing power may be affected by higher living expenses compared to the national average. Top salaries in the area often come from private optometry practices, especially those utilizing an OD/MD collaborative model, where opportunities for financial growth arise from surgical referral revenue sharing. Factors influencing pay disparities can include whether practitioners are involved in practice ownership, completion of residency training particularly in ocular disease, and the employment terms established after private practices transition to private equity ownership. For recent graduates or current optometrists seeking to maximize their income in Alhambra, considering employment in private practices that emphasize advanced scopes of practice and residency-trained expertise may yield the most favorable financial outcomes.
More salary data for Alhambra, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Alhambra?
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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 $133,350 for optometristsin the Alhambra 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 Alhambra 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