Optometrist Salary in Davis, CA: $134,847 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Davis, CA earns a median $134,847/year (≈ $64.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $119,228 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Davis, California, can expect a median annual compensation of $134,847 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range is quite diverse, with figures spanning from $78,212 at the 10th percentile to $196,748 at the 90th percentile. These figures factor in the growing trend of OD/MD surgical co-management, which significantly boosts potential income for optometrists who collaborate with ophthalmologists. This model not only heightens revenue opportunities through referral shares but also enhances professional practice appeal in Davis's thriving healthcare landscape.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,212 | $37.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,793 | $51.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,847 | $64.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,166 | $79.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,748 | $94.59 |
Median Salary Position
4.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,536 (2026 est.). At $134,847, the local median is 4.1% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis Optometrist Pay Compares
Davis median: $134,847/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,304 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.10% less |
Optometrists in Davis, CA earn a median of $134,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.10% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.20% below the California state average of $139,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $134,847 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,228 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,524
2025 BLS Actual
$130,970
2026 Current Est.
$134,847
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
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 | $110,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,209 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,203 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,453 | Actual |
| 2024 | $175,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,847 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,838 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,524 (2019) to $130,970 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,314 (25.62%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,212 – $107,793 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,793 – $134,847 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,847 – $165,166 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,166 – $196,748 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Davis
With only 14 optometrists currently working in the Davis area, the local market presents an interesting dynamic characterized by a relatively high cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 113.1. The salaries here may not outpace national averages, but practice settings play a vital role in income variability. Private optometry practices, particularly those aligned with the OD/MD model, tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail chains such as LensCrafters or Visionworks. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include practice ownership equity, the prevalence of residency-trained professionals, and the terms of employment in private equity-owned practices following acquisitions. To enhance their financial prospects, optometrists in Davis should aim for advanced training and explore opportunities for collaboration within multifaceted care settings that offer surgical competencies and referral networks.
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
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 $130,970 for optometristsin the Davis 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 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