Optometrist Salary in San Mateo, CA: $140,813 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in San Mateo, CA earns a median $140,813/year (≈ $67.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in San Mateo's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $124,503 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in San Mateo, California, will see a median annual salary of $140,813, slightly surpassing the national median of $140,612. This figure indicates that the local market for optometry is competitive, as the pay scale ranges significantly from $81,672 at the 10th percentile to as high as $216,274 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect California's expanding scope of practice that now includes advanced areas such as glaucoma care and the prescription of oral medications. This growth and complexity in the field likely contribute to higher compensation for optometrists in San Mateo compared to other regions.
About the San Mateo Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,672 | $39.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,308 | $55.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,813 | $67.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,644 | $81.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,274 | $103.98 |
Median Salary Position
0.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Mateo
In San Mateo, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,602 (2026 est.). At $140,813, the local median is 0.14% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Mateo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Mateo Optometrist Pay Compares
San Mateo median: $140,813/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Mateo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,281 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.14% more |
Optometrists in San Mateo, CA earn a median of $140,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.14% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.10% above the California state average of $139,281.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Mateo has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Mateo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,813 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $124,503 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,415
2025 BLS Actual
$136,765
2026 Current Est.
$140,813
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in San Mateo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,415 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,219 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,477 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,048 | Actual |
| 2024 | $182,879 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,765 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,813 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,981 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Mateo metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $115,415 (2019) to $136,765 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,981 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,566 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Mateo 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) | $81,672 – $115,308 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,308 – $140,813 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,813 – $169,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,644 – $216,274 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in San Mateo
The local job market currently employs 21 optometrists, suggesting a stable demand for eye care professionals in the area. However, San Mateo's cost-of-living index of 113.1 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, which could impact take-home pay for practitioners. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups often offer the highest salaries, benefiting from revenue sharing in surgical referrals. The variance in optometrist pay in San Mateo is shaped by factors such as practice ownership, residency training in ocular disease, and preferences for retail versus private practice employment. To enhance earning potential, optometrists should consider positions that integrate surgical models or seek out practices with strong referral networks while also weighing the financial implications of working within private equity-acquired practices, which may offer different compensation structures.
More salary data for San Mateo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in San Mateo, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in San Mateo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in San Mateo?
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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 $136,765 for optometristsin the San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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