Optometrist Salary in Garden Grove, CA: $142,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Garden Grove, CA earns a median $142,491/year (≈ $68.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Garden Grove's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $125,987 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Garden Grove, California, can expect to see a median annual salary of $142,491 in 2026, slightly above the national average of $140,612. The compensation ranges widely, from $82,645 for the lowest 10% to $213,456 for the top 10%, reflecting the diverse nature of the profession in this region. This earning potential is influenced by California's expanding scope of practice, including the management of glaucoma, prescription of oral medications, and certain laser procedures, which can enhance patient care and, in turn, revenue streams for practitioners. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost differences provide a comprehensive view of what optometrists can achieve financially in Garden Grove.
About the Garden Grove Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,645 | $39.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,235 | $52.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,491 | $68.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,613 | $83.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,456 | $102.62 |
Median Salary Position
1.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden Grove
In Garden Grove, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,811 (2026 est.). At $142,491, the local median is 1.34% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden Grove Optometrist Pay Compares
Garden Grove median: $142,491/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,288 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.34% more |
Optometrists in Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $142,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.30% above the California state average of $139,288.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden Grove has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden Grove, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,491 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,987 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,790
2025 BLS Actual
$138,395
2026 Current Est.
$142,491
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Garden Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,628 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,961 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,268 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,622 | Actual |
| 2024 | $185,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,395 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,709 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden Grove metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,790 (2019) to $138,395 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,709 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,919 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden Grove 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) | $82,645 – $110,235 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,235 – $142,491 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,491 – $173,613 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,613 – $213,456 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Garden Grove
The job market for optometrists in Garden Grove consists of around 37 employed practitioners, indicating a relatively tight-knit community and potential for local networking. With a cost of living index at 113.1, salaries must be viewed alongside this figure to assess take-home purchasing power. Optometrists pursuing roles in private practices may find higher pay than those in retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision; factors such as practice ownership, specialty training in ocular disease, and working alongside ophthalmologists can impact compensation. The disparity in salary ranges often stems from the employment model, with established private practices or those recently acquired by private equity firms generally offering better income packages. For those looking to optimize their earnings in this vibrant market, seeking residency training or embracing innovative practice models may yield the best outcomes in terms of optometrist pay in Garden Grove CA.
More salary data for Garden Grove, 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 $138,395 for optometristsin the Garden Grove 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 Garden Grove 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