Optometrist Salary in Baldwin Park, CA: $135,852 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Baldwin Park, CA earns a median $135,852/year (≈ $65.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Baldwin Park's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $120,117 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Baldwin Park, the projected median annual optometrist salary for 2026 is $135,852, reflecting a slight decline compared to the national median of $140,612. The compensation range spans from $78,794 at the 10th percentile to $200,280 at the 90th percentile, ensuring opportunities for earnings based on experience and scope of practice. Estimates for this data have been derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, which take into account Baldwin Park's relatively high cost of living index of 113.1. Optometrists in California benefit from an expanded scope of practice that includes management of glaucoma and prescription of oral medications, increasing their value in the job market. With 19 optometrists currently employed in the area, Baldwin Park presents both a competitive landscape and potential for growth in earnings.
About the Baldwin Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,794 | $37.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,852 | $65.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,662 | $79.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,280 | $96.29 |
Median Salary Position
3.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baldwin Park
In Baldwin Park, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,486 (2026 est.). At $135,852, the local median is 3.39% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baldwin Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baldwin Park Optometrist Pay Compares
Baldwin Park median: $135,852/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baldwin Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,335 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.39% less |
Optometrists in Baldwin Park, CA earn a median of $135,852 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.39% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.50% below the California state average of $139,335.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baldwin Park has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baldwin Park, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,852 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,117 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,348
2025 BLS Actual
$131,946
2026 Current Est.
$135,852
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Baldwin Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,348 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,053 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,091 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,338 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,395 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,434 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,946 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,852 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,873 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baldwin Park metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,348 (2019) to $131,946 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,873 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,525 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baldwin Park 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) | $78,794 – $106,810 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,810 – $135,852 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,852 – $164,662 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,662 – $200,280 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Baldwin Park
Examining the local job market further, the 19 optometrists working in Baldwin Park contend with a cost-of-living index that exceeds the national average, impacting their take-home pay. The most competitive salaries are typically found at private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups where optometrists may work alongside ophthalmologists within an OD/MD model; these settings often facilitate lucrative referral opportunities. Factors contributing to the disparity between low and high salaries include whether one is part of a retail chain like LensCrafters or a private practice, the influence of residency training with an ocular disease or VA specialty, and the compensation packages of practices transitioning from private ownership to private equity. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Baldwin Park, targeting positions in higher-paying practices and pursuing additional training or specialized certifications can offer a distinct advantage in this market.
More salary data for Baldwin Park, 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 $131,946 for optometristsin the Baldwin Park 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 Baldwin Park 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