Optometrist Salary in San Diego, CA: $137,225 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in San Diego, CA earns a median $137,225/year (≈ $65.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $122,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, CA, the projected optometrist salary for 2026 reaches a median of $137,225, slightly below the national median of $140,612. This compensation reflects both the local demand for optometric services and the state's expanding scope of practice, which now includes managing glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing select laser procedures. The salary range for optometrists in the region is notably broad, with entry-level positions starting around $105,277 and top earners making up to $214,342. These figures are derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected forward to 2026. With a robust local market and a growing need for comprehensive eye care, the job outlook for optometrists in San Diego appears promising.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,277 | $50.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,930 | $60.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,225 | $65.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,798 | $79.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,342 | $103.05 |
Median Salary Position
2.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,065 (2026 est.). At $137,225, the local median is 2.41% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Optometrist Pay Compares
San Diego median: $137,225/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,315 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.41% less |
Optometrists in San Diego, CA earn a median of $137,225 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.41% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.50% below the California state average of $139,315.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,225 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,646 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$181,050
2025 BLS Actual
$133,280
2026 Current Est.
$137,225
2019–2027 Growth
+-22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $181,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $182,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,225 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -26.4% from $181,050 (2019) to $133,280 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $-39,763 (-21.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $105,277 – $125,930 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,930 – $137,225 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,225 – $164,798 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,798 – $214,342 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in San Diego
The San Diego area employs approximately 540 optometrists, contributing to a competitive job market amid a cost-of-living index of 111.887, which indicates a higher expense compared to the national average. This financial landscape means that take-home pay may be affected significantly by local living costs. While private optometry practices often prioritize compensation reflective of individualized care, retail optical chains and ophthalmology practices can offer distinct pay structures. High salaries may also be linked to practice ownership equity, advanced training in ocular disease, or working with ophthalmologists under an OD/MD model. To maximize their earning potential, optometrists in this city should consider seeking positions that leverage these factors, such as those offering competitive partnerships or experiences in specialized areas, such as glaucoma or surgical care, which are highly valued in the profession.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 $133,280 for optometristsin the San Diego 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