Optometrist Salary in Costa Mesa, CA: $140,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Costa Mesa, CA earns a median $140,003/year (≈ $67.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Costa Mesa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $123,787 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Costa Mesa, California, can expect a median annual salary of $140,003, which is slightly lower than the national median of $140,612. The income range varies significantly, from $81,201 at the 10th percentile to $213,749 at the 90th percentile, reflecting differing paths within the profession. This disparity often stems from choices between practice ownership, employment in private clinics, and positions in retail chains. Industry dynamics in Costa Mesa suggest that those opting for solo or group practice may achieve higher earnings, especially when leveraging skills acquired through residency training and specialization in ocular disease.
About the Costa Mesa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,201 | $39.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,652 | $53.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,003 | $67.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,971 | $83.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,749 | $102.76 |
Median Salary Position
0.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Costa Mesa
In Costa Mesa, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,548 (2026 est.). At $140,003, the local median is 0.43% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Costa Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Costa Mesa Optometrist Pay Compares
Costa Mesa median: $140,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Costa Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,306 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.43% less |
Optometrists in Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $140,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.43% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.50% above the California state average of $139,306.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Costa Mesa has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Costa Mesa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,003 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,787 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,750
2025 BLS Actual
$135,978
2026 Current Est.
$140,003
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,538 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,761 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,046 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,288 | Actual |
| 2024 | $181,827 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,978 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Costa Mesa metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,750 (2019) to $135,978 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,397 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Costa Mesa 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) | $81,201 – $110,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,652 – $140,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,003 – $172,971 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,971 – $213,749 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Costa Mesa
Currently, there are 23 optometrists practicing in the area, which can suggest a competitive but supportive job market. The cost of living index in Costa Mesa is 113.1, indicating that while salaries are generally competitive, they may not always match the purchasing power of other regions with lower living costs. Among employers, private optometry practices tend to offer higher pay compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Pearle Vision. The substantial variation in compensation can be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, collaborative roles within OD/MD models, and the post-acquisition conditions of former private practices owned by private equity firms. To maximize earnings in this market, optometrists may benefit from pursuing further specialization through residency programs and engaging in business opportunities that allow for equity participation in their practices.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Costa Mesa, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Costa Mesa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Costa Mesa?
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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 $135,978 for optometristsin the Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa 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