Optometrist Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $125,766 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $125,766/year (≈ $60.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 109.9), that paycheck buys what $114,441 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.7% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, California, optometrists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $125,766 in 2026, which reflects a competitive market for eye care professionals. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $140,612, indicating regional disparities in compensation despite the high demand for optometric services. Salaries in the area can vary significantly, with a typical range stretching from $85,426 at the 10th percentile to $169,719 at the 90th percentile. Such data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected into 2026, reflects the evolving landscape of optometry and highlights the potential for enhanced revenues through surgical co-management practices linked with the OD/MD model, which is increasingly being integrated into local care settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,426 | $41.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,300 | $57.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,766 | $60.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,952 | $75.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,719 | $81.60 |
Median Salary Position
10.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,293 (2026 est.). At $125,766, the local median is 10.56% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Cruz Optometrist Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $125,766/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,275 | -9.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -10.56% less |
Optometrists in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $125,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.56% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 9.70% below the California state average of $139,275.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 9.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 109.896 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,766 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,441 — a 9% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,820
2025 BLS Actual
$122,150
2026 Current Est.
$125,766
2019–2027 Growth
+14.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,766 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 8.3% from $112,820 (2019) to $122,150 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,668 (14.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $85,426 – $119,300 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,300 – $125,766 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,766 – $156,952 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,952 – $169,719 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Santa Cruz
The local job market for optometrists in Santa Cruz consists of about 50 professionals, a modest number that underscores the specific regional economic and healthcare dynamics. The cost-of-living index, currently at 109.896, indicates that living expenses in the area are relatively high, reducing take-home purchasing power for many residents. Employers such as private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics that utilize the OD/MD model often offer better compensation, as these settings can leverage surgical referral revenues. Conversely, retail optical chains may provide lower pay scales. Factors influencing the pay spread include variations in practice ownership, the additional revenue from collaborative care models, and the qualifications of individual practitioners, especially those with residency training. To maximize earnings in Santa Cruz, optometrists may consider developing specialized skills that align with trending areas of practice, as well as exploring opportunities in ophthalmology partnerships, which can yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, 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 $122,150 for optometristsin the Santa Cruz 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