Optometrist Salary in Pasadena, CA: $140,409 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Pasadena, CA earns a median $140,409/year (≈ $67.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $124,146 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Pasadena, California, can expect a median annual salary reaching $140,409, reflecting the city's robust healthcare sector that includes advanced practice options such as glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures. This salary range varies significantly from $81,437 at the 10th percentile to $214,827 for those in the 90th percentile, indicating diverse compensation levels influenced by local demand and practice type. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differences, suggest a competitive financial landscape for optometrists looking to establish their careers in Pasadena, CA.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,437 | $39.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,453 | $53.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,409 | $67.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,179 | $83.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,827 | $103.28 |
Median Salary Position
0.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,390 (2026 est.). At $140,409, the local median is 0.14% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Optometrist Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $140,409/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,294 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.14% less |
Optometrists in Pasadena, CA earn a median of $140,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.14% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% above the California state average of $139,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,409 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $124,146 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,083
2025 BLS Actual
$136,372
2026 Current Est.
$140,409
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,083 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,879 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,408 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,669 | Actual |
| 2024 | $182,353 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,372 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,409 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,565 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $115,083 (2019) to $136,372 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,565 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,482 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $81,437 – $111,453 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,453 – $140,409 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,409 – $174,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,179 – $214,827 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Pasadena
With 35 optometrists actively employed in the area, the local job market remains relatively strong, but the cost of living index of 113.1 presents challenges for take-home purchasing power. This index indicates that daily expenses in Pasadena are above the national average, which can impact how far an optometrist's salary stretches. Among the various employers, private optometry practices, particularly those adhering to an OD/MD model, tend to offer the most competitive pay. Factors influencing earnings include practice ownership equity, partnerships with ophthalmic surgeons, and the premiums attached to residency-trained positions. To maximize potential income in Pasadena, optometrists should consider pursuing residency training in ocular disease and exploring positions with private practices that may offer better financial incentives than retail chains or larger healthcare organizations.
More salary data for Pasadena, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $136,372 for optometristsin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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