Optometrist Salary in Pomona, CA: $144,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Pomona, CA earns a median $144,034/year (≈ $69.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Pomona's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $127,351 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Pomona, California, can anticipate a median annual salary of $144,034 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position in the job market. Compared to the national median of $140,612, this figure indicates a slight edge, with local pay outpacing national trends by 2.43%. With a salary range spanning from $83,540 at the 10th percentile to $213,628 at the 90th percentile, the compensation landscape varies significantly based on practice ownership, employment conditions, and specializations. Factors such as practice ownership versus employment in private clinics or retail chains will influence earning potential, with private practice often providing opportunities for higher income due to equity stakes and additional revenue streams.
About the Pomona Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,540 | $40.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,304 | $54.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,034 | $69.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,222 | $83.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,628 | $102.70 |
Median Salary Position
2.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pomona
In Pomona, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,088 (2026 est.). At $144,034, the local median is 2.43% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pomona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pomona Optometrist Pay Compares
Pomona median: $144,034/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pomona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,298 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.43% more |
Optometrists in Pomona, CA earn a median of $144,034 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.43% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.40% above the California state average of $139,298.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pomona has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pomona, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $144,034 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,351 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,054
2025 BLS Actual
$139,893
2026 Current Est.
$144,034
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pomona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,054 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,922 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,324 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,646 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $187,061 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,893 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,297 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pomona metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $118,054 (2019) to $139,893 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,243 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pomona 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) | $83,540 – $113,304 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,304 – $144,034 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,034 – $174,222 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,222 – $213,628 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Pomona
The local job market for optometrists in Pomona is robust, with 36 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index of 113.1 suggests that the purchasing power of optometrists may be impacted by local expenses. Among various employment settings, private optometry practices tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly those following an OD/MD model that allows collaboration with ophthalmologists and surgical care referrals. The variation in pay can also stem from factors like residency training in ocular disease, which often commands a premium, and the business dynamics of private equity acquisitions affecting previously independent practices. To maximize earnings, it’s advisable for optometrists in Pomona to consider expanding their skill sets with residency training, targeting positions in high-paying clinics, and remaining open to practice ownership opportunities that could unlock greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Pomona, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Pomona, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Pomona?
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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 $139,893 for optometristsin the Pomona 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 Pomona 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