Optometrist Salary in Lake Elsinore, CA: $138,908 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lake Elsinore, CA earns a median $138,908/year (≈ $66.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lake Elsinore's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $122,819 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Elsinore, CA, optometrists can anticipate a median annual salary of $138,908 in 2026, a figure slightly falling below the national median of $140,612. Salaries in the region span a substantial range from $80,567 at the lower 10th percentile to $210,942 at the upper 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 while also accounting for regional price level adjustments. The choice between owning a practice, working as an employed associate, or joining a retail optical chain influences compensation significantly. In a market where 18 optometrists are currently employed, employment structure plays a notable role in how much optometrists make in Lake Elsinore.
About the Lake Elsinore Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,567 | $38.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,613 | $51.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,908 | $66.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,833 | $78.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,942 | $101.42 |
Median Salary Position
1.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Elsinore
In Lake Elsinore, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,375 (2026 est.). At $138,908, the local median is 1.21% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Elsinore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Elsinore Optometrist Pay Compares
Lake Elsinore median: $138,908/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Elsinore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,326 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.21% less |
Optometrists in Lake Elsinore, CA earn a median of $138,908 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.21% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.30% below the California state average of $139,326.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Elsinore has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Elsinore, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,908 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,819 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,853
2025 BLS Actual
$134,915
2026 Current Est.
$138,908
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lake Elsinore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,853 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,619 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,794 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,068 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,262 | Actual |
| 2024 | $180,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,915 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,908 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,020 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Elsinore metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,853 (2019) to $134,915 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,020 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,167 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Elsinore 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) | $80,567 – $107,613 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,613 – $138,908 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,908 – $163,833 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,833 – $210,942 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lake Elsinore
The local job market in Lake Elsinore reveals a modest number of practitioners, indicating a competitive environment where job opportunities may be limited yet stable. With a cost of living index of 113.1, expenses in the area are higher than the national average, impacting the take-home pay for optometrists operating under different employment models. Notably, private optometry practices tend to offer better compensation compared to retail chains such as LensCrafters and Walmart Vision. Factors such as practice ownership equity, advanced residency training, and involvement in ophthalmology collaborations can create a wide spread in pay. To maximize earnings, optometrists may consider pursuing specialty residencies to enhance their qualifications or exploring employment with practices that have recently transitioned to private equity ownership, which often align with lucrative patient care models.
More salary data for Lake Elsinore, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Lake Elsinore, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Lake Elsinore?
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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 $134,915 for optometristsin the Lake Elsinore 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 Lake Elsinore 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