Optometrist Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $170,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $170,255/year (≈ $81.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $157,959 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Santa Rosa, California, can expect a median annual salary of $170,255. This figure reflects a substantial market position compared to the national median of $140,612, with local professionals earning approximately 21.08% more. The projected salary range showcases the earnings potential in this competitive area, spanning from $125,930 at the 10th percentile to $234,512 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The combination of surgical co-management revenue from partnerships with ophthalmologists significantly enhances earning opportunities, making Santa Rosa a lucrative market for optometrists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $125,930 | $60.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $137,410 | $66.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,255 | $81.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $229,086 | $110.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $234,512 | $112.74 |
Median Salary Position
21.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,582 (2026 est.). At $170,255, the local median is 21.08% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Rosa Optometrist Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $170,255/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,325 | +22.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +21.08% more |
Optometrists in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $170,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.08% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 22.20% above the California state average of $139,325.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $170,255 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $157,959 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,310
2025 BLS Actual
$165,360
2026 Current Est.
$170,255
2019–2027 Growth
+32.5%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $154,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $135,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,294 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 25.0% from $132,310 (2019) to $165,360 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,294 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,984 (32.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $125,930 – $137,410 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $137,410 – $170,255 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,255 – $229,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $229,086 – $234,512 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Santa Rosa
With 80 optometrists employed locally, the job market in Santa Rosa appears stable, albeit competitive. The cost of living index stands at 107.784, which suggests that salaries might not stretch as far as they would in areas with a lower cost of living. Notably, optometrists affiliated with ophthalmology practices generally command higher salaries due to revenue-sharing arrangements and the ability to co-manage surgical cases. Conversely, retail optical chains such as LensCrafters and Walmart Vision often offer lower pay, reflecting reduced earning potential in practice settings that focus primarily on routine eye care. Practitioners wishing to maximize their earnings in Santa Rosa should consider the benefits of residency training, especially in ocular disease, and explore opportunities in private practice, particularly those transitioning into private equity ownership. Understanding the nuances of the local market will be crucial in determining how much optometrists make in Santa Rosa and navigating a successful career path.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 $165,360 for optometristsin the Santa Rosa 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