Optometrist Salary in Santa Maria, CA: $144,309 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Santa Maria, CA earns a median $144,309/year (≈ $69.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Santa Maria's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.8), that paycheck buys what $132,639 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the reported annual median salary for optometrists in Santa Maria, California is projected to be $144,309, a figure that reflects a competitive local market for eye care professionals. This salary shows an increase of approximately 2.63% compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in the area extends from $105,987 at the 10th percentile to $170,646 at the 90th percentile, indicating variance based on experience, practice ownership, and types of employers. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, highlights the beneficial impact of OD/MD surgical co-management on compensation, as optometrists increasingly partner with ophthalmologists to manage complex cases. Santa Maria’s job market benefits from a blend of private practices and healthcare networks, contributing to attractive compensation prospects for professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,987 | $50.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,264 | $59.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,309 | $69.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,072 | $76.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,646 | $82.04 |
Median Salary Position
2.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,659 (2026 est.). At $144,309, the local median is 2.63% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Maria: You'd be above the median
How Santa Maria Optometrist Pay Compares
Santa Maria median: $144,309/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Maria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,294 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.63% more |
Optometrists in Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $144,309 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.63% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.60% above the California state average of $139,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Maria has a cost of living 8.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Maria, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.798 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $144,309 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,639 — a 8.09% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,350
2025 BLS Actual
$140,160
2026 Current Est.
$144,309
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,153 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,309 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,580 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Maria metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 19.4% from $117,350 (2019) to $140,160 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,580 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,230 (26.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Maria 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) | $105,987 – $123,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,264 – $144,309 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,309 – $160,072 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,072 – $170,646 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Santa Maria
The local job market hosts around 50 optometrists, offering sufficient opportunities for employment, although potential optometrists should consider the cost of living index in Santa Maria, which stands at 108.798, slightly above the national average. This index affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Among employers, practices that operate under the optometrist-ophthalmologist co-management model often offer the most competitive salaries, as they can share in surgical referral revenues. The variability in optometrist pay in Santa Maria can be attributed to factors such as practice ownership dynamics, the malleable nature of retail optical chains, and the influence of residency training specifically in ocular disease. Those aiming to maximize their earnings in this market may benefit from pursuing advanced residency training or aligning with practices offering collaborative care.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 $140,160 for optometristsin the Santa Maria 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, 6-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