Optometrists in California. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where California optometrists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $122,960 and $166,300, with a median of $136,300.
Optometrists in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 18 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $151,669. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 5 | $150,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $147,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 5 | $151,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $160,290 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Optometrists in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings. Click a company for its full H-1B salary breakdown.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAMILY HEALTHCARE NETWORK | Optometrist | 3 | $151,000 |
| UCSF MEDICAL CENTER | Optometrist | 2 | $161,637 |
| Aria Community Health Center | Optometrist | 1 | $185,000 |
| Bay Area Community Health | Optometrist | 1 | $167,000 |
| Castle Family Health Centers Inc | Optometrist | 1 | $180,000 |
| Clinicas del Camino Real | Optometrist | 1 | $152,337 |
| Cypress Ophthalmology Group, inc. | Optometrist | 1 | $147,000 |
| Cypress Ophthalmology Group, Inc. | Optometrist | 1 | $81,370 |
| David M. Salvay, M.D., Inc. | Staff Optometrist | 1 | $135,200 |
| Paul J. Dougherty M.D., Inc. | Medical Optometrist | 1 | $150,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Optometrist at FAMILY HEALTHCARE NETWORK$160,290VisaliaWage Level IVDecided Jun 11, 2026I-200-26155-982333
- Optometrist at UCSF MEDICAL CENTER$161,637San FranciscoDecided May 19, 2026I-200-26133-902475
- Optometrist at Cypress Ophthalmology Group, inc.$147,000Palm SpringsWage Level IIDecided Apr 21, 2026I-200-26104-792180
- Staff Optometrist at David M. Salvay, M.D., Inc.$135,200Newport BeachWage Level IIIDecided Apr 21, 2026I-200-26104-791124
- Optometrist at Castle Family Health Centers Inc$180,000AtwaterWage Level IIIDecided Mar 19, 2026I-200-26071-698814
- Optometrist at United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley$155,000FresnoWage Level IIIDecided Nov 21, 2025I-200-25318-409233
- Optometrist at Aria Community Health Center$185,000LindsayWage Level IVDecided Sep 15, 2025I-200-25251-294569
- Medical Optometrist at Paul J. Dougherty M.D., Inc.$150,000Paso RoblesWage Level IDecided Aug 26, 2025I-200-25231-251434
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Optometrists in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 18 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $152,337.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | FAMILY HEALTHCARE NETWORK | 17 | $152,337 |
| Technology and software | Yantran LLC | 1 | $144,320 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.8 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Biology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
- 02
Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
- 03
Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
- 04
Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
- 05
Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
- 06
Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
- 07
Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.
- 08
Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+7.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for optometrists in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Francisco$142,580
- Sacramento$139,020
- Los Angeles$138,940
- San Jose$135,330
- San Diego$133,280
- Riverside$129,990
Compare Optometrists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare California with another state
Related roles in California
Occupations in the same field, with California salary data.
How Optometrists pay compares nationally
Put this California figure in context with our national salary data reports.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Optometrists in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Optometrists in California is $136,300.
- How does California compare to the national median for Optometrists?
- The California median is -2.2% versus the BLS national figure of $139,297.
- What is the salary range for Optometrists in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $99,890 and the 90th-percentile at $213,710, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Optometrists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 7.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Optometrists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
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Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.