Optometrist Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $143,053 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $143,053/year (≈ $68.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $125,965 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the dynamic market of optometry, the average optometrist salary in Los Angeles, CA, is projected to reach $143,053 in 2026, eclipsing the national median of $140,612 by approximately 1.74%. This favorable pay is influenced by the increasing complexity of care in the field, especially with the growing prominence of the OD/MD model, where optometrists manage surgical cases alongside ophthalmologists, thereby enhancing their revenue potential. Salary ranges in Los Angeles for optometrists vary significantly, from $75,717 at the lower end (P10) to $215,732 at the upper tier (P90), reflecting differences in practice types, experience levels, and patient demographics. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, these figures indicate a healthy market for optometry in an area with a strong demand for eye care services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,717 | $36.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,325 | $63.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,053 | $68.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,188 | $79.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,732 | $103.71 |
Median Salary Position
1.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,015 (2026 est.). At $143,053, the local median is 1.74% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Optometrist Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $143,053/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,292 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.74% more |
Optometrists in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $143,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.74% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.70% above the California state average of $139,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,053 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,965 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,370
2025 BLS Actual
$138,940
2026 Current Est.
$143,053
2019–2027 Growth
+21.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,053 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 14.5% from $121,370 (2019) to $138,940 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,917 (21.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $75,717 – $131,325 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,325 – $143,053 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,053 – $166,188 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,188 – $215,732 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Los Angeles
The local job market features approximately 2,360 optometrists, illustrating a robust demand for eye care professionals amid a competitive cost of living index of 113.566. This higher cost of living may impact the purchasing power of salaries in Los Angeles. Optometrists working in private practices, particularly those operating under the OD/MD model, generally have access to a broader range of compensation opportunities compared to retail optical chains, such as LensCrafters or Pearle Vision. The significant salary variations can be attributed to factors like ownership equity, collaboration with ophthalmologists, and specialized training in areas such as ocular disease. For those seeking to maximize their pay in this vibrant market, pursuing residency training can yield substantial long-term benefits, while adapting to evolving practice models may open further income avenues, keenly aligning with current trends in expanded scope-of-practice regulations.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Los Angeles?
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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 $138,940 for optometristsin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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