Optometrist Salary in Poway, CA: $137,140 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Poway, CA earns a median $137,140/year (≈ $65.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Poway's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $121,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for optometrists in Poway, California is projected to be $137,140. This figure reflects the local job market dynamics in a state that allows optometrists to engage in glaucoma management, prescribe oral medications, and perform select laser procedures. The salary range for this profession in Poway spans from $79,541 at the 10th percentile to $191,090 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant earning potential based on factors such as experience, specialization, and practice setting. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS figures, projected to 2026, shows that while this salary is slightly below the national median of $140,612, the influence of regional cost-of-living adjustments is evident as Poway's cost of living index sits at 113.1, above the national average.
About the Poway Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,541 | $38.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,463 | $55.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,140 | $65.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,340 | $77.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,090 | $91.87 |
Median Salary Position
2.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Poway
In Poway, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,549 (2026 est.). At $137,140, the local median is 2.47% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Poway: You'd be above the median
How Poway Optometrist Pay Compares
Poway median: $137,140/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Poway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,370 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.47% less |
Optometrists in Poway, CA earn a median of $137,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.47% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.60% below the California state average of $139,370.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Poway has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Poway, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,140 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,256 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,404
2025 BLS Actual
$133,197
2026 Current Est.
$137,140
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Poway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,404 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,134 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,488 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,603 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,108 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,197 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,140 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,199 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Poway metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,404 (2019) to $133,197 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,199 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,795 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Poway 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) | $79,541 – $114,463 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,463 – $137,140 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,140 – $160,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,340 – $191,090 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Poway
The optometry job market in Poway currently employs eight professionals, indicating a niche but relevant community for this specialty. However, the cost of living impacts net income and purchasing power, especially with the index indicating a higher-than-average living expense. In terms of compensation sources, private optometry practices, both solo and group, tend to offer more lucrative earnings compared to retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision, which generally provide lower pay scales. Additionally, experience and practice ownership can lead to significant salary variations; residency-trained optometrists, especially those involved in ocular disease, may find competitive advantages and better practice models that drive earnings. Those seeking to maximize optometrist pay in Poway, CA, should consider enhancing their qualifications, engaging with local healthcare networks, and exploring business ownership opportunities within the community to leverage revenue share arrangements with ophthalmologists for further income potential.
More salary data for Poway, 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 $133,197 for optometristsin the Poway 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 Poway 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