Optometrist Salary in Sacramento, CA: $143,135 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Sacramento, CA earns a median $143,135/year (≈ $68.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $134,185 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for optometrists in Sacramento is projected to be $143,135, slightly above the national median of $140,612. This figure reflects a competitive local market, particularly as optometrists consider their practice structures. With a salary range from $108,993 at the P10 level to $225,554 at the P90 level, there's potential for significant income variation among optometrists based on their employment settings—whether in private practice, group collaborations, or retail chain environments. Data sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys indicates that the job market is robust, providing ample opportunities for ODs to engage in various practice models, which ultimately influences their earning potential within Sacramento’s unique landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,993 | $52.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,283 | $59.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,135 | $68.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,805 | $91.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,554 | $108.44 |
Median Salary Position
1.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,561 (2026 est.). At $143,135, the local median is 1.79% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Optometrist Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $143,135/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,372 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.79% more |
Optometrists in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $143,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.79% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.70% above the California state average of $139,372.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,135 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,185 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,210
2025 BLS Actual
$139,020
2026 Current Est.
$143,135
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,135 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 15.6% from $120,210 (2019) to $139,020 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,162 (22.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $108,993 – $124,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,283 – $143,135 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,135 – $190,805 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,805 – $225,554 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Sacramento
With 510 optometrists currently employed in Sacramento, the job market for this profession appears strong. However, the cost of living index stands at 106.67, indicating higher than average living expenses, which can affect take-home pay. Among the employers in the region, independent private practices and some ophthalmology collaborations tend to offer more competitive compensation compared to retail optical chains. Factors contributing to discrepancies in pay include ownership stakes in practices, hybrid OD/MD models that share revenue from surgical referrals, and the level of residency training—especially those specializing in ocular disease or providing care under the Veterans Affairs system. Optometrists aiming to maximize their income may benefit from focusing on practice ownership or seeking positions within specialty clinics that leverage advanced scopes of practice, including glaucoma management and surgical referrals. Thus, navigating the local pay landscape requires strategic career choices grounded in both professional development and market awareness.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 $139,020 for optometristsin the Sacramento 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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