Optometrist Salary in Newport Beach, CA: $136,304 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Newport Beach, CA earns a median $136,304/year (≈ $65.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Newport Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $120,516 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Newport Beach, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $136,304, slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range spans from $79,056 at the 10th percentile to $202,189 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities and specializations within the field. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost conditions, indicating a robust local job market with specialized demand. Given California’s advanced scope of practice, including the management of glaucoma, the prescription of oral medications, and select laser procedures, optometrists can position themselves advantageously across various settings, from private practices to larger healthcare systems in Newport Beach.
About the Newport Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,056 | $38.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,685 | $53.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,304 | $65.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,642 | $79.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,189 | $97.20 |
Median Salary Position
3.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newport Beach
In Newport Beach, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,133 (2026 est.). At $136,304, the local median is 3.06% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newport Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newport Beach Optometrist Pay Compares
Newport Beach median: $136,304/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newport Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,370 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.06% less |
Optometrists in Newport Beach, CA earn a median of $136,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.06% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% below the California state average of $139,370.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newport Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newport Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,304 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,516 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,718
2025 BLS Actual
$132,385
2026 Current Est.
$136,304
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Newport Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,718 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,433 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,491 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,741 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,819 | Actual |
| 2024 | $177,022 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,385 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,304 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,338 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newport Beach metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,718 (2019) to $132,385 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,338 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,620 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport Beach 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) | $79,056 – $110,685 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,685 – $136,304 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,304 – $165,642 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,642 – $202,189 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Newport Beach
With only 12 optometrists currently employed in Newport Beach, competition for higher salaries is inherent. The cost of living index in the area sits at 113.1, indicating a relatively high living expense that affects take-home pay, emphasizing the need for potential candidates to understand market compensation deeply. Private optometry practices generally offer higher pay, particularly for those with residency training in ocular disease, while retail optical chains may offer more stable but lower compensation. The variation in pay often stems from factors such as ownership equity, experience with OD/MD models, and post-acquisition terms of private equity-owned practices. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Newport Beach, focusing on gaining specialized certifications, understanding benefit structures, and potentially pursuing ownership opportunities could provide a significant financial advantage.
More salary data for Newport Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Newport Beach?
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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 $132,385 for optometristsin the Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach 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