Optometrist Salary in Vallejo, CA: $160,566 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Vallejo, CA earns a median $160,566/year (≈ $77.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Vallejo's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $148,016 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Vallejo, CA, the role of optometrists contributes significantly to the healthcare landscape, with a projected median annual salary of $160,566 for 2026. This figure surpasses the national median of $140,612, emphasizing Vallejo's attractive compensation for eye care professionals. Salaries in the city range from $127,434 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $228,427 at the top (P90), as indicated by 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The integration of the OD/MD model, particularly in surgical co-management, generates additional revenue streams, enhancing the overall payer mix and income potential. With 90 optometrists currently employed in Vallejo, the competitive salary reflects both local demand for optometrists and the evolving healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $127,434 | $61.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,462 | $62.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,566 | $77.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $226,646 | $108.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,427 | $109.82 |
Median Salary Position
14.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vallejo
In Vallejo, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,993 (2026 est.). At $160,566, the local median is 14.19% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vallejo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vallejo Optometrist Pay Compares
Vallejo median: $160,566/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vallejo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,380 | +15.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +14.19% more |
Optometrists in Vallejo, CA earn a median of $160,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.19% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 15.20% above the California state average of $139,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vallejo has a cost of living 8.48% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vallejo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.479 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,566 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,016 — a 7.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$133,650
2025 BLS Actual
$155,950
2026 Current Est.
$160,566
2019–2027 Growth
+23.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Vallejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $149,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $156,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,566 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,319 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vallejo metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 16.7% from $133,650 (2019) to $155,950 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,319 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,669 (23.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vallejo 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) | $127,434 – $129,462 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,462 – $160,566 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,566 – $226,646 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $226,646 – $228,427 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Vallejo
As Vallejo's cost of living index stands at 108.479, professionals must consider how this affects take-home purchasing power. Those engaging with private practices may find divergent pay scales depending on local market dynamics, while retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks typically offer lower compensation compared to ophthalmology practices that share surgical referral revenues. Factors driving the substantial salary range include ownership equity, experience with residency training, and how practices adapt post-acquisition by private equity. For optometrists seeking to maximize their earnings in Vallejo, a focus on establishing relationships with surgical partners, ensuring a strong referral base, and potentially pursuing further specialization or residency training could bolster their pay trajectory in this evolving market.
More salary data for Vallejo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Vallejo, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Vallejo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Vallejo?
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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 $155,950 for optometristsin the Vallejo 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