Optometrist Salary in Montebello, CA: $138,058 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Montebello, CA earns a median $138,058/year (≈ $66.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Montebello's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $122,067 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Montebello, CA, can expect a median annual salary of $138,058 in 2026, positioning them slightly below the national median of $140,612. Salary ranges for this role highlight significant variance, with the lower end at $80,074 and the upper end peaking at $208,304, underscoring the impact of experience and practice setting on compensation. These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, which accounts for regional price parities. Given California's expanded scope of practice, including treatment for glaucoma and the ability to prescribe oral medications and perform certain laser procedures, the compensation packages for optometrists reflect not only the skills required but also the demand for these services inside the community of Montebello.
About the Montebello Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,074 | $38.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,217 | $54.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,058 | $66.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,881 | $81.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,304 | $100.15 |
Median Salary Position
1.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montebello
In Montebello, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,230 (2026 est.). At $138,058, the local median is 1.82% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montebello: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montebello Optometrist Pay Compares
Montebello median: $138,058/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montebello Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,312 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.82% less |
Optometrists in Montebello, CA earn a median of $138,058 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.82% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.90% below the California state average of $139,312.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montebello has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montebello, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,058 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,067 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,156
2025 BLS Actual
$134,089
2026 Current Est.
$138,058
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Montebello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,156 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,905 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,042 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,308 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,465 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,301 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,089 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,058 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montebello metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,156 (2019) to $134,089 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,989 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montebello 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) | $80,074 – $114,217 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,217 – $138,058 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,058 – $169,881 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,881 – $208,304 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Montebello
In terms of local market dynamics, there are currently 16 optometrists employed in Montebello, navigating a cost of living index of 113.1, which is higher than the national average. This elevated cost of living impacts take-home purchasing power, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right employment structure. Among the various employment settings available—such as private practices, retail chains like LensCrafters, or ophthalmology practices that utilize the OD/MD model—compensation varies considerably. Factors driving these disparities include ownership equity and whether an optometrist benefits from referral revenue-sharing arrangements with ophthalmologists. To maximize earnings in Montebello, optometrists should consider gaining additional training through residency programs focused on ocular disease, which can increase their value in both private practices and more lucrative positions within hospital systems. Being strategic about job selection and negotiating terms can significantly enhance overall optometrist pay in Montebello, CA.
More salary data for Montebello, 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 $134,089 for optometristsin the Montebello 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 Montebello 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