Optometrist Salary in Menifee, CA: $138,381 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Menifee, CA earns a median $138,381/year (≈ $66.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Menifee's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $122,353 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Menifee, California, optometrists can expect to earn a median salary of $138,381 in 2026, reflecting competitive compensation in the region. The projected salary range for optometrists spans from $80,261 to $208,021, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local pricing. This salary structure may vary significantly based on the type of employment, as practice ownership tends to yield higher earnings compared to associates in retail chains or private practices. Menifee's optometry market is increasingly shaped by structural choices candidates make, influencing their potential income and career trajectories.
About the Menifee Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,261 | $38.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,476 | $53.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,381 | $66.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,036 | $81.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,021 | $100.02 |
Median Salary Position
1.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Menifee
In Menifee, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,760 (2026 est.). At $138,381, the local median is 1.59% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Menifee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Menifee Optometrist Pay Compares
Menifee median: $138,381/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Menifee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,357 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.59% less |
Optometrists in Menifee, CA earn a median of $138,381 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.59% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.70% below the California state average of $139,357.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Menifee has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Menifee, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,381 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,353 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,421
2025 BLS Actual
$134,403
2026 Current Est.
$138,381
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Menifee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,421 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,177 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,328 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,597 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,768 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,721 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,403 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,381 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Menifee metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,421 (2019) to $134,403 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,056 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Menifee 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) | $80,261 – $110,476 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,476 – $138,381 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,381 – $169,036 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,036 – $208,021 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Menifee
The local job market for optometrists in Menifee comprises approximately 20 practitioners, facing a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which is notably higher than the national average. This reality of living expenses underscores the importance of understanding take-home pay in relation to salary figures. Among local employers, private practices—particularly those adopting the OD/MD model—often provide some of the highest compensation packages, due to shared revenue opportunities and the potential for referral-based income. Factors that contribute to the wide salary range include ownership equity, advanced training such as residency programs, and the strategic choices made between retail chains and private practices. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Menifee, focusing on practice ownership or specializing in high-demand services, alongside exploring lucrative employment paths such as ophthalmology collaborations or joining larger healthcare systems, may prove advantageous.
More salary data for Menifee, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Menifee, CA in 2026?
Is Menifee, CA a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Menifee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Menifee?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Menifee?
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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 $134,403 for optometristsin the Menifee 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 Menifee 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