Optometrist Salary in Mountain View, CA: $140,111 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Mountain View, CA earns a median $140,111/year (≈ $67.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Mountain View's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $123,882 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average optometrist salary in Mountain View, California, is projected to reach $140,111, a figure slightly below the national median of $140,612. Local estimates indicate a salary range that stretches from $81,264 at the 10th percentile to as high as $201,560 for the top 90th percentile earners. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost differences, reflect the current state of optometry in a community that balances between private practice ownership and employment within retail optical chains. The choice of practice structure can significantly influence earnings, revealing an interesting dynamic in a city where competition and patient access are defining factors in a thriving local market.
About the Mountain View Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,264 | $39.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,011 | $52.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,111 | $67.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,503 | $80.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,560 | $96.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mountain View
In Mountain View, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,296 (2026 est.). At $140,111, the local median is 0.36% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mountain View: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mountain View Optometrist Pay Compares
Mountain View median: $140,111/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mountain View Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,275 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.36% less |
Optometrists in Mountain View, CA earn a median of $140,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.36% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% above the California state average of $139,275.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mountain View has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mountain View, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,111 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,882 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,839
2025 BLS Actual
$136,083
2026 Current Est.
$140,111
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Mountain View (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,839 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,629 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,857 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,142 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $181,967 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,083 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,111 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,258 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mountain View metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,839 (2019) to $136,083 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,258 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,419 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mountain View 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) | $81,264 – $110,011 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,011 – $140,111 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,111 – $166,503 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,503 – $201,560 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Mountain View
Despite the overall attractive salary figures, the purchasing power in Mountain View is affected by a cost of living index of 113.1, which signifies that living expenses are above the national average. With only 13 optometrists currently employed in the area, competition for high-paying positions is moderate. Those seeking optimal compensation might consider private optometry practices or ophthalmology settings, which typically provide better pay structures compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. The spread between lower and higher salaries is influenced by various factors, including ownership stakes, the business model of the practice, residency training, and specific employment agreements with practices that have transitioned to private equity ownership. To maximize pay, optometrists in Mountain View should focus on advanced clinical training, pursue patient-centered approaches, and consider entrepreneurship as a strategy for enhancing their professional income.
More salary data for Mountain View, 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 $136,083 for optometristsin the Mountain View 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 Mountain View 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