Optometrist Salary

Sacramento vs Tracy: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Sacramento, CA
$143,135
$68.82/hr
Tracy, CA
$135,366
$65.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CATracy, CA
Median Salary$143,135$135,366
Hourly Rate$68.82$65.08
Entry Level (P10)$108,993$78,512
25th Percentile$124,283$108,818
75th Percentile$190,805$166,569
Top Earner (P90)$225,554$198,610
Total Employed51014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($143,135) and Tracy ($135,366) optometrist salaries.SacramentoTracyMedian Salary$143,135$135,366Entry Level (P10)$108,993$78,512Top Earner (P90)$225,554$198,610US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Sacramento and Tracy is $7,769 (5.74%). 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 Sacramento spans $116,561,Tracy spans $120,098. Tracy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$108,993
P25$124,283
Median$143,135
P75$190,805
P90 (Top)$225,554
Tracy
P10 (Entry)$78,512
P25$108,818
Median$135,366
P75$166,569
P90 (Top)$198,610

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($134,185 effective) pays 12.11% more than Tracy ($119,687 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $143,135
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $134,185
Tracy
Nominal: $135,366
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $119,687

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Tracy if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Sacramento grew 15.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -25.2% growth in Tracy over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+15.6%

$120,210 (2019) → $139,020 (2025)

Tracy, CA

+-25.2%

$175,804 (2024) → $131,474 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Sacramento or Tracy?

Sacramento has a higher median optometrist salary at $143,135/year, compared to Tracy at $135,366/year — a difference of $7,769 (5.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Tracy?

Sacramento optometrists earn $68.82/hr while Tracy hygienists earn $65.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to Tracy as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Tracy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $134,185, Tracy = $119,687), job availability (510 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $108,993 in Sacramento and $78,512 in Tracy. 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