Optometrist Salary in San Ramon, CA: $139,183 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in San Ramon, CA earns a median $139,183/year (≈ $66.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in San Ramon's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $123,062 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Ramon, California, optometrists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $139,183 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range in this market spans from $80,727 at the 10th percentile to $203,076 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, provide insight into the compensation landscape influenced by various employment structures. Optometrists in this city find diverse opportunities, including practice ownership, associate roles in private practices, and positions in retail chains. The choice of work setting often impacts financial outcomes, shaping the salary dynamics for those entering or advancing within the field.
About the San Ramon Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,727 | $38.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,159 | $51.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,183 | $66.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,539 | $80.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,076 | $97.64 |
Median Salary Position
1.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Ramon
In San Ramon, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,349 (2026 est.). At $139,183, the local median is 1.02% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Ramon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Ramon Optometrist Pay Compares
San Ramon median: $139,183/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Ramon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,323 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.02% less |
Optometrists in San Ramon, CA earn a median of $139,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.02% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.10% below the California state average of $139,323.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Ramon has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Ramon, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,183 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,062 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,079
2025 BLS Actual
$135,182
2026 Current Est.
$139,183
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in San Ramon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,079 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,037 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,314 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $180,763 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,182 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,183 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,303 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Ramon metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,079 (2019) to $135,182 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,303 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,224 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Ramon 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) | $80,727 – $108,159 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,159 – $139,183 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,183 – $167,539 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,539 – $203,076 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in San Ramon
The job market for optometrists in San Ramon is defined by a small yet significant pool of 19 professionals currently employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index at 113.1, living expenses slightly exceed the national average, potentially influencing take-home pay and consumer purchasing power. Among the hiring entities, private practices generally offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Pearle Vision. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to various factors, including ownership equity in private practice, collaboration in an OD/MD model, and the added revenue from surgical referrals. Job seekers may consider pursuing residency training in ocular disease or aligning with practices that allow for expansion of scope in glaucoma care and minor surgical procedures. These strategies can lead to enhanced salary prospects and a better long-term career trajectory in the San Ramon optometry market.
More salary data for San Ramon, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in San Ramon, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in San Ramon?
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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 $135,182 for optometristsin the San Ramon 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 Ramon 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