Optometrist Salary in Fresno, CA: $140,777 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fresno, CA earns a median $140,777/year (≈ $67.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.2), that paycheck buys what $137,803 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Fresno, California, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $140,777, slightly surpassing the national average of $140,612. This figure is indicative of the diverse employment opportunities within the region, which include ownership in private practices, positions in retail chains, and employment at ophthalmology clinics. The salary range extends from $103,742 at the lower end (P10) to $218,811 (P90) for top earners. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With a steady demand for eye care services in the area, many optometrists find themselves well-compensated, especially as the scope of practice evolves to include advanced treatments and procedures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,742 | $49.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,968 | $54.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,777 | $67.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,166 | $88.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,811 | $105.20 |
Median Salary Position
0.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,069 (2026 est.). At $140,777, the local median is 0.12% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fresno Optometrist Pay Compares
Fresno median: $140,777/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,383 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.12% more |
Optometrists in Fresno, CA earn a median of $140,777 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.12% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.00% above the California state average of $139,383.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 2.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 102.158 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,777 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,803 — a 2.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,930
2025 BLS Actual
$136,730
2026 Current Est.
$140,777
2019–2027 Growth
+26.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,777 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,944 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 19.0% from $114,930 (2019) to $136,730 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,014 (26.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $103,742 – $112,968 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,968 – $140,777 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,777 – $183,166 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,166 – $218,811 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fresno
The local job market currently employs around 100 optometrists, with a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 102.158. This elevated cost of living can influence take-home pay, making it critical for optometrists to consider compensation packages that account for local expenses. Among various employment options in Fresno, private optometry practices typically offer higher salaries compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Visionworks, which tend to have fixed pay scales. Additionally, optometrists with residency training in ocular disease or those working within an OD/MD model can command higher wages due to their specialized skills. To maximize their earning potential, optometrists should aim to enhance their expertise through continuing education and consider practice ownership as a long-term strategy, particularly in light of the ongoing changes in the healthcare landscape influenced by acquisitions and the increasing role of private equity in the field.
More salary data for Fresno, 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 $136,730 for optometristsin the Fresno 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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