Optometrist Salary in Daly City, CA: $143,009 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Daly City, CA earns a median $143,009/year (≈ $68.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $126,445 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Daly City, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $143,009 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession in the area varies significantly; with entry-level positions starting at $82,946 and experienced optometrists potentially earning as much as $209,984. These figures, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost indicators, highlight a dynamic market influenced by the choice between practice ownership, employment in private group settings, or work within retail optical chains. The current job landscape for optometrists reveals not just financial potential, but an active demand for skilled professionals, particularly within diverse practice settings that cater to expanding scopes of practice in optometry.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,946 | $39.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,262 | $53.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,009 | $68.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,721 | $82.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,984 | $100.95 |
Median Salary Position
1.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,038 (2026 est.). At $143,009, the local median is 1.7% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Optometrist Pay Compares
Daly City median: $143,009/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,385 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.70% more |
Optometrists in Daly City, CA earn a median of $143,009 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% above the California state average of $139,385.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,009 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,445 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,215
2025 BLS Actual
$138,898
2026 Current Est.
$143,009
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,419 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,731 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,108 | Actual |
| 2024 | $185,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,898 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,009 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,242 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $117,215 (2019) to $138,898 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,027 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $82,946 – $111,262 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,262 – $143,009 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,009 – $171,721 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,721 – $209,984 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Daly City
With 20 optometrists currently working in Daly City, the local job market shows stability and growth potential. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that the purchasing power of these salaries may be affected by higher than average expenses. Among employers, private optometry practices typically offer the highest compensation, especially for those who have established ownership equity or operate in a partnership model. Conversely, retail chains may provide lower pay but can also attract optometrists seeking a reliable work-life balance. Factors contributing to wage differences include the structure of employment agreements, qualifications such as residency training in ocular disease, and collaborations within OD/MD models that can drive greater earnings. To maximize compensation, optometrists in Daly City should consider seeking positions that offer ownership opportunities or emphasize a service model aligned with current optometric advancements.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $138,898 for optometristsin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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