Optometrist Salary in La Mirada, CA: $138,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in La Mirada, CA earns a median $138,448/year (≈ $66.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in La Mirada's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $122,412 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in La Mirada, California, is projected to reach a median of $138,448, slightly trailing the national median of $140,612. The compensation for optometrists in this area ranges widely, with a lower threshold at $80,300 and an upper limit of $195,170. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost disparities, including a higher-than-average cost of living index of 113.1. Factors influencing local earnings may include a variety of practice settings, with optometrists capitalizing on revenue streams integrated into surgical co-management models often found in ophthalmology practices, thereby enhancing their overall compensation package.
About the La Mirada Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,300 | $38.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,831 | $53.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,448 | $66.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,543 | $80.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,170 | $93.83 |
Median Salary Position
1.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Mirada
In La Mirada, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,870 (2026 est.). At $138,448, the local median is 1.54% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in La Mirada: You'd be above the median
How La Mirada Optometrist Pay Compares
La Mirada median: $138,448/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Mirada Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,284 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.54% less |
Optometrists in La Mirada, CA earn a median of $138,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.54% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the California state average of $139,284.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Mirada has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Mirada, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,448 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,412 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,476
2025 BLS Actual
$134,468
2026 Current Est.
$138,448
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in La Mirada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,476 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,233 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,387 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,657 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,807 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,468 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,546 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Mirada metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,476 (2019) to $134,468 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,546 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,070 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Mirada 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) | $80,300 – $111,831 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,831 – $138,448 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,448 – $166,543 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,543 – $195,170 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in La Mirada
The local job market for optometrists in La Mirada features a small cohort of ten employed professionals, which may indicate a competitive landscape. While the higher cost of living can exert pressure on take-home pay, those working within private practices or specialized environments such as OD/MD models typically report the most substantial earnings. The variance in pay often arises from the degree of clinical complexity associated with practice ownership, the integration of surgical referral revenues, and the nature of employment agreements, particularly in private equity-affected practices. Strategies for optimizing comp include seeking out positions in high-revenue spaces and considering additional training or residency programs focused on ocular disease, as these credentials can command higher salaries in the current job market. Overall, understanding the factors driving optometrist pay in La Mirada is essential for future career planning and financial success in the field.
More salary data for La Mirada, 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 $134,468 for optometristsin the La Mirada 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 La Mirada 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