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 $108,310 and $166,900, with a median of $137,070.
Optometrists in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 14 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 | 2 | $155,660 |
| Level III — experienced | 3 | $151,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $185,000 |
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.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAMILY HEALTHCARE NETWORK | Optometrist | 3 | $151,000 |
| United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley | Optometrist | 2 | $155,000 |
| Aria Community Health Center | Optometrist | 1 | $185,000 |
| Paul J. Dougherty M.D., Inc. | Medical Optometrist | 1 | $150,000 |
| Bay Area Community Health | Optometrist | 1 | $167,000 |
| Regency Eye Care Inc | Optometrist | 1 | $160,000 |
| Richard Wu, O.D., a Professional Corporation | Optometrist | 1 | $114,000 |
| UVP Management, LLC | Medical Optometrist | 1 | $150,000 |
| Yantran LLC | Clinical Specialist - Optometrist | 1 | $144,320 |
| Clinicas del Camino Real | Optometrist | 1 | $152,337 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Optometrist at United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley$155,000FresnoDecided 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
- Optometrist at Bay Area Community Health$167,000FremontWage Level IIDecided Jul 17, 2025I-200-25191-164929
- Optometrist at Regency Eye Care Inc$160,000AuburnWage Level IDecided Jun 2, 2025I-200-25143-015466
- Optometrist at United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley$155,000ParlierWage Level IIIDecided May 20, 2025I-200-25133-970284
- Optometrist at Richard Wu, O.D., a Professional Corporation$114,000PleasantonWage Level IDecided May 15, 2025I-200-25128-954445
- Medical Optometrist at UVP Management, LLC$150,000Paso RoblesWage Level IDecided May 5, 2025I-200-25118-910854
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.
Optometrists pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Optometrists in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 14 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 | 13 | $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 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 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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Metro-level salary data for optometrists in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Francisco$157,750
- Sacramento$154,450
- San Jose$149,340
- Los Angeles$137,070
- San Diego$134,250
- Riverside$131,890
Compare Optometrists pay across nearby states
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 $137,070.
- How does California compare to the national median for Optometrists?
- The California median is +4.0% versus the BLS national figure of $131,844.
- What is the salary range for Optometrists in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $71,860 and the 90th-percentile at $213,420, 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.
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.