How much does an optometrist make in California?
$136,300a year
Median yearly pay for optometrists in California. That is $65.53 an hour or $11,360 a month.
- Hourly
- $65.53
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among states
- 22 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 6,890
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $99,890Median: $136,300Highest 10%: $213,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $99,890 | $48.02 | |
| 25th | $123,000 | $59.12 | |
| Median | $136,300 | $65.53 | |
| 75th | $166,300 | $79.95 | |
| 90th | $213,700 | $102.75 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Santa Rosa, CA | $165,400 |
| Vallejo, CA | $156,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $142,600 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $140,200 |
| Chico, CA | $139,900 |
| Sacramento, CA | $139,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $138,900 |
| Modesto, CA | $137,500 |
| Fresno, CA | $136,700 |
| San Jose, CA | $135,300 |
| Visalia, CA | $135,200 |
| Salinas, CA | $133,400 |
| San Diego, CA | $133,300 |
| Stockton, CA | $132,400 |
| Riverside, CA | $130,000 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $129,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $129,200 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $129,000 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $122,200 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for optometrists.
| 19. Wisconsin | $139,700 |
| 20. Kansas | $138,600 |
| 21. Vermont | $137,300 |
| 22. California | $136,300 |
| 23. Michigan | $135,700 |
| 24. Nevada | $135,700 |
| 25. Indiana | $135,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optometrist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $65.53 ($136,300 a year).
Do optometrists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $136,300 against $136,600 nationally, 0% more.
Where does California rank for optometrist pay?
California ranks 22 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays optometrists the most?
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA, with a median of $165,400 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.