Optometrist Salary

Antioch vs Sacramento: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Antioch, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Antioch, CA
$137,628
$66.16/hr
Sacramento, CA
$143,135
$68.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAntioch, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$137,628$143,135
Hourly Rate$66.16$68.82
Entry Level (P10)$79,824$108,993
25th Percentile$108,998$124,283
75th Percentile$170,370$190,805
Top Earner (P90)$210,145$225,554
Total Employed17510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Antioch ($137,628) and Sacramento ($143,135) optometrist salaries.AntiochSacramentoMedian Salary$137,628$143,135Entry Level (P10)$79,824$108,993Top Earner (P90)$210,145$225,554US Median $140,612

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Antioch.

The salary gap between Antioch and Sacramento is $5,507 (4.00%). Sacramento's median is +1.79% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Antioch spans $130,321,Sacramento spans $116,561. Antioch has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Antioch
P10 (Entry)$79,824
P25$108,998
Median$137,628
P75$170,370
P90 (Top)$210,145
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$108,993
P25$124,283
Median$143,135
P75$190,805
P90 (Top)$225,554

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($134,185 effective) pays 10.27% more than Antioch ($121,687 effective).

Antioch
Nominal: $137,628
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $121,687
Sacramento
Nominal: $143,135
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $134,185

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Antioch if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,135/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($225,554)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $134,185)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Antioch grew -25.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.6% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Antioch, CA

+-25.2%

$178,741 (2024) → $133,671 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+15.6%

$120,210 (2019) → $139,020 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Antioch or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median optometrist salary at $143,135/year, compared to Antioch at $137,628/year — a difference of $5,507 (4.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Antioch and Sacramento?

Antioch optometrists earn $66.16/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $68.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Antioch to Sacramento as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Antioch and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Antioch = $121,687, Sacramento = $134,185), job availability (17 vs 510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Antioch vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $79,824 in Antioch and $108,993 in Sacramento. The Sacramento area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov