Optometrist Salary in San Jose, CA: $139,336 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in San Jose, CA earns a median $139,336/year (≈ $66.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $126,184 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For optometrists in San Jose, California, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is estimated to be $139,336. This figure positions the local optometrist salary in San Jose slightly below the national median of $140,612. With a salary range from $138,347 at the 10th percentile to $213,869 at the 90th percentile, optometrists in this region can find themselves earning a wide array of incomes based on their practice settings and experience levels. These insights are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, which highlight the promising earnings potential in a market enriched by surgical co-management revenue opportunities with ophthalmologists. Such collaboration not only enhances patient care but also elevates the overall earning capacity for optometrists in San Jose's dynamic healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $138,347 | $66.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,347 | $66.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,336 | $66.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,157 | $83.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,869 | $102.83 |
Median Salary Position
0.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,522 (2026 est.). At $139,336, the local median is 0.91% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be in the entry-level range
How San Jose Optometrist Pay Compares
San Jose median: $139,336/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.91% less |
Optometrists in San Jose, CA earn a median of $139,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.91% lower than the national median of $140,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,336 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,184 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,740
2025 BLS Actual
$135,330
2026 Current Est.
$139,336
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $158,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,336 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,460 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 10.3% from $122,740 (2019) to $135,330 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,460 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,720 (16.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $138,347 – $138,347 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,347 – $139,336 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,336 – $174,157 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,157 – $213,869 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in San Jose
Examining the job market, there are currently around 580 optometrists employed in San Jose. However, the cost of living is notably higher than the national average, with a Cost of Living Index of 110.423. This higher index suggests that while salaries are competitive, take-home purchasing power may be significantly impacted. Employers such as ophthalmology practices and private optometry groups often provide some of the most lucrative positions, particularly for those trained in residency programs focused on ocular disease. The disparity in pay can be influenced by several factors, including ownership equity in private practices, the ability to generate revenue through surgical referrals in OD/MD collaborations, and the practice's geographical location. To maximize their salary potential, optometrists should consider pursuing residency training, seek out practices that integrate surgical services, and stay updated on expanding their scope of practice, which is becoming increasingly relevant in California.
More salary data for San Jose, 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 $135,330 for optometristsin the San Jose 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