Optometrists Salary in California
Optometrists in California earn a median annual wage of $136,300 —0.2% below the national median of $136,570. That ranks CA #22 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.37× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for optometrists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $170,310 | $81.88 | 60 | 0.67 |
| 2 | Maryland | $165,840 | $79.73 | 780 | 1.02 |
| 3 | North Carolina | $161,560 | $77.67 | 1,140 | 0.84 |
| 4 | Delaware | $161,270 | $77.54 | 190 | 1.39 |
| 5 | New York | $161,140 | $77.47 | 2,390 | 0.90 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $159,040 | $76.46 | 1,380 | 1.17 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $158,700 | $76.30 | 710 | 0.88 |
| 8 | Washington | $157,560 | $75.75 | 760 | 0.78 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $154,620 | $74.34 | 230 | 1.32 |
| 10 | Maine | $154,110 | $74.09 | 180 | 1.02 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do optometrists make in California?
The median annual wage for optometrists in California is $136,300, or $65.53 per hour. That is 0.2% below the national median of $136,570.
What is the entry-level optometrists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $99,890 per year ($48.02/hour). The 25th percentile is $122,960.
How many people work as optometrists in California?
About 6,890 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.4 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for optometrists?
California ranks #22 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.37x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays optometrists the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage at $170,310 per year, followed by Maryland ($165,840) and North Carolina ($161,560).