Optometrist Salary in Burbank, CA: $137,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Burbank, CA earns a median $137,616/year (≈ $66.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Burbank's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $121,676 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burbank, California, the projected median annual optometrist salary stands at $137,616 for 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $140,612. With a salary range from $79,818 at the 10th percentile to $205,344 at the 90th percentile, local professionals benefit from diverse practice environments, particularly with the OD/MD co-management model which enhances revenue through surgical referrals. These figures are drawn from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, adjusted for regional price parities. For optometrists in Burbank, where the cost of living index is notably higher at 113.1, the job market offers a competitive outlook, ensuring opportunities for growth and specialization in areas like glaucoma management and ocular disease.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,818 | $38.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,993 | $50.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,616 | $66.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,194 | $80.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,344 | $98.73 |
Median Salary Position
2.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burbank
In Burbank, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,526 (2026 est.). At $137,616, the local median is 2.13% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Burbank: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burbank Optometrist Pay Compares
Burbank median: $137,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burbank Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,288 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.13% less |
Optometrists in Burbank, CA earn a median of $137,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.13% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.20% below the California state average of $139,288.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burbank has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burbank, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,616 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,676 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,794
2025 BLS Actual
$133,660
2026 Current Est.
$137,616
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Burbank (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,794 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,535 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,651 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,914 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,727 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burbank metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,794 (2019) to $133,660 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,896 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $79,818 – $105,993 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,993 – $137,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,616 – $167,194 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,194 – $205,344 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Burbank
The local employment scene shows that there are 22 optometrists in Burbank, indicative of a stable demand for vision care professionals. Given the elevated cost of living, take-home pay must align with expenses; thus, understanding Burbank's specific market can be crucial for salary negotiations. Employers span across private practices, retail optical chains, and ophthalmology groups, with those integrated into surgical co-management often offering the highest compensation. The salary variation arises from factors such as practice ownership, advanced residency training, and the specific business models in operation. To maximize optometrist pay in Burbank, professionals are advised to consider employment settings that support surgical collaborations and specialty residencies, while also negotiating based on the unique requirements of the local market.
More salary data for Burbank, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Burbank?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $133,660 for optometristsin the Burbank metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burbank is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov