Optometrist Salary in Torrance, CA: $141,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Torrance, CA earns a median $141,725/year (≈ $68.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Torrance's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $125,309 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Torrance, CA, the optometrist salary is projected to reach a median of $141,725 in 2026, a figure that surpasses the national median of $140,612 by 0.79%. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $82,201 at the 10th percentile to $219,674 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy compensation potential across different practice settings. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the local cost of living, which is slightly above the national average. A variety of employment scenarios impact earning potential, including options for practice ownership, positions as employed associates, and opportunities within retail chains. The dynamics of Torrance's optometry job market suggest that those who navigate these choices effectively can enhance their compensation while addressing the community's diverse vision care needs.
About the Torrance Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,201 | $39.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,727 | $52.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,725 | $68.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,201 | $85.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,674 | $105.62 |
Median Salary Position
0.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Torrance
In Torrance, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,473 (2026 est.). At $141,725, the local median is 0.79% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Torrance: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Torrance Optometrist Pay Compares
Torrance median: $141,725/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Torrance Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,356 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.79% more |
Optometrists in Torrance, CA earn a median of $141,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.79% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.70% above the California state average of $139,356.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Torrance has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Torrance, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,725 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,309 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,162
2025 BLS Actual
$137,651
2026 Current Est.
$141,725
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Torrance (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,984 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,284 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,584 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,904 | Actual |
| 2024 | $184,064 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,651 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,921 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Torrance metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,162 (2019) to $137,651 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,921 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,759 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Torrance 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) | $82,201 – $108,727 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,727 – $141,725 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,725 – $177,201 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,201 – $219,674 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Torrance
With 26 optometrists currently practicing in the area, Torrance's job market for vision specialists appears stable. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that expenses are higher than the national average, which can impact the effective purchasing power for optometrists. Among local employers, private practices often yield higher pay than retail optical chains such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, particularly for those in an OD/MD model that collaborates with ophthalmologists, which can lead to shared referral revenue. Factors such as residency training in ocular disease and the operational differences between private and corporate practices contribute significantly to the salary spread. Optometrists aiming to maximize their pay in Torrance should consider further specialization, expanding their scope of practice, and exploring opportunities within integrated settings that may offer enhanced compensation structures in response to the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Torrance, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Torrance?
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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 $137,651 for optometristsin the Torrance 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 Torrance 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