Optometrist Salary in Gilroy, CA: $139,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Gilroy, CA earns a median $139,393/year (≈ $67.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Gilroy's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $123,248 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Gilroy, California, can expect a median salary of $139,393, which is slightly lower than the national median of $140,612. The salary range in this city fluctuates between $80,848 for the lowest 10% of earners and $213,017 for those in the top 10%. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the choices between practice ownership, employment as associates, or positions within retail optical chains. This pay structure indicates a diverse job market where private practices and larger chains can offer significantly different compensation packages based on how they operate and the services they provide, affecting earnings potential for optometrists in Gilroy.
About the Gilroy Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,848 | $38.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,577 | $52.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,393 | $67.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,780 | $79.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,017 | $102.41 |
Median Salary Position
0.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gilroy
In Gilroy, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,169 (2026 est.). At $139,393, the local median is 0.87% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gilroy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gilroy Optometrist Pay Compares
Gilroy median: $139,393/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gilroy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.87% less |
Optometrists in Gilroy, CA earn a median of $139,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.87% lower than the national median of $140,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gilroy has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gilroy, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,393 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,248 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,251
2025 BLS Actual
$135,386
2026 Current Est.
$139,393
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Gilroy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,251 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,501 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,717 | Actual |
| 2024 | $181,035 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,386 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,519 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gilroy metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,251 (2019) to $135,386 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,519 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,268 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gilroy 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) | $80,848 – $108,577 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,577 – $139,393 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,393 – $164,780 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,780 – $213,017 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Gilroy
The local job market employs 10 optometrists, a modest number that suggests a tight-knit professional community. With a cost of living index at 113.1, the pricing of everyday expenses in Gilroy exceeds the national average, impacting disposable incomes and purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices often provide the highest pay, especially those operating under the OD/MD model that includes surgical referral revenues. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, advanced residency training in ocular disease, and the increasingly competitive landscape resulting from larger corporate acquisitions of private practices. For those aiming to maximize their income in this market, cultivating strong relationships with local ophthalmologists, gaining residency experience, and considering practice ownership can be advantageous strategies for achieving higher compensation in optometry.
More salary data for Gilroy, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Gilroy?
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Related Pages
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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 $135,386 for optometristsin the Gilroy 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 Gilroy 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