Optometrist Salary in Fairfield, CA: $143,662 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fairfield, CA earns a median $143,662/year (≈ $69.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $127,022 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $143,662, optometrists in Fairfield, California, enjoy compensation that slightly outpaces the national median of $140,612, indicative of the area's strong demand for eye care professionals. This figure represents a salary range from $83,324 at the lower end (P10) to $211,928 at the high end (P90), suggesting a varied earning potential within the profession. The local salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the ongoing growth in optometry, particularly as the scope of practice expands to encompass glaucoma management and the use of oral medications and laser procedures. Hence, Fairfield's job market not only embraces the traditional optometric functions but increasingly ventures into advanced therapeutic and surgical realms, shaping the expected compensation for practitioners.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,324 | $40.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,561 | $54.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,662 | $69.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,425 | $83.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,928 | $101.89 |
Median Salary Position
2.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
In Fairfield, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,604 (2026 est.). At $143,662, the local median is 2.17% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfield Optometrist Pay Compares
Fairfield median: $143,662/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,343 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.17% more |
Optometrists in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $143,662 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.17% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.10% above the California state average of $139,343.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfield has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,662 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,022 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,750
2025 BLS Actual
$139,532
2026 Current Est.
$143,662
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,996 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,314 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $186,579 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,532 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,662 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $117,750 (2019) to $139,532 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,165 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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) | $83,324 – $112,561 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,561 – $143,662 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,662 – $173,425 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,425 – $211,928 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fairfield
In the Fairfield area, the local employment landscape for optometrists comprises around 25 professionals, indicating a competitive but limited job market. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, slightly above the national average, which directly impacts the purchasing power of optometrists and their take-home salaries. Employers such as private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups are typically among the highest payers, often driven by patient volume and the integration of surgical referral systems. Variations in optometrist pay in Fairfield can be attributed to factors like practice ownership equity, the differences between retail chains and private practices, and whether practitioners have completed residency training in ocular disease. Strategies for maximizing pay in this market could involve seeking positions in high-compensation environments or pursuing additional certifications that enhance service offerings, thereby capitalizing on the evolving demands within optometry.
More salary data for Fairfield, 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 $139,532 for optometristsin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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