Optometrist Salary in Upland, CA: $134,748 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Upland, CA earns a median $134,748/year (≈ $64.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Upland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $119,141 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Upland, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $134,748, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national average of $140,612. The salary range in this market spans from $78,154 at the 10th percentile to $201,757 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the region's cost of living, highlight the financial implications of practice structure on earnings. Whether operating within private solo practices, group settings, or retail chains, the chosen model has a significant influence on compensation levels, shaping the overall dynamics of the job market for optometrists in Upland.
About the Upland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,154 | $37.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,597 | $51.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,748 | $64.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,877 | $79.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,757 | $97.00 |
Median Salary Position
4.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Upland
In Upland, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,603 (2026 est.). At $134,748, the local median is 4.17% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Upland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Upland Optometrist Pay Compares
Upland median: $134,748/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Upland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,346 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.17% less |
Optometrists in Upland, CA earn a median of $134,748 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.17% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.30% below the California state average of $139,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Upland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Upland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $134,748 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,141 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,443
2025 BLS Actual
$130,874
2026 Current Est.
$134,748
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,126 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,116 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,352 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $175,001 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,874 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,748 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,736 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Upland metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,443 (2019) to $130,874 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,736 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,293 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upland 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) | $78,154 – $107,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,597 – $134,748 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,748 – $164,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,877 – $201,757 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Upland
With 18 optometrists currently employed in Upland, the local job market shows steady employment opportunities, despite the cost of living index sitting at 113.1, which is above the national average. This index suggests that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national norm, actual purchasing power can be impacted by local expenses. Among the various employers, private optometry practices often provide the highest pay, especially for those with additional residency training in ocular disease, who frequently command better compensation. The disparity in salaries arises from factors such as equity stakes in private practices versus retail chains, the collaborative revenue-sharing model with ophthalmology practices, and the terms set by private equity acquisitions of previously independent offices. For those looking to maximize earnings, targeting private practices or enhancing skills through advanced training can be effective strategies in Upland's evolving optometry landscape.
More salary data for Upland, 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 $130,874 for optometristsin the Upland 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 Upland 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