Optometrist Salary in Inglewood, CA: $142,175 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Inglewood, CA earns a median $142,175/year (≈ $68.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Inglewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $125,707 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Inglewood's optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $142,175 in 2026, reflecting a competitive landscape that often hinges on the structure of practice ownership. With a salary range spanning from $82,462 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $220,371 at the upper percentile (P90), earnings vary significantly based on whether practitioners choose to operate as independent owners, work as associates in private practices, or operate within retail chains. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, highlighting the localized nature of optometrist pay in Inglewood, CA. The choice of practice setting will deeply influence compensation trends as optometrists navigate a market increasingly shaped by the consolidation of private practices and the retail optical presence.
About the Inglewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,462 | $39.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,612 | $52.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,175 | $68.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,700 | $81.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,371 | $105.95 |
Median Salary Position
1.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Inglewood
In Inglewood, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,909 (2026 est.). At $142,175, the local median is 1.11% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Inglewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Inglewood Optometrist Pay Compares
Inglewood median: $142,175/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Inglewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,388 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.11% more |
Optometrists in Inglewood, CA earn a median of $142,175 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.11% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.00% above the California state average of $139,388.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Inglewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Inglewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,175 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,707 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,531
2025 BLS Actual
$138,088
2026 Current Est.
$142,175
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Inglewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,531 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,682 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,326 | Actual |
| 2024 | $184,648 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,175 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,384 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Inglewood metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,531 (2019) to $138,088 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,384 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,853 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Inglewood 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) | $82,462 – $109,612 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,612 – $142,175 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,175 – $169,700 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,700 – $220,371 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Inglewood
Employment opportunities for optometrists in Inglewood are currently held by 21 professionals, which suggests a moderately competitive job market. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the financial realities of living in this area impact take-home pay, reflecting a need for practitioners to consider their compensation relative to local economic conditions. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups tend to provide higher pay than retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. The disparity in salary often arises from practice ownership equity roles, collaborative models like OD/MD partnerships that incorporate surgical referrals, and the premium associated with residencies in ocular disease or the VA pathways. Maximizing earnings might involve targeting positions with progressive practice models, pursuing advanced training, or considering community locations with rising demand for enhanced optometric services.
More salary data for Inglewood, 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 $138,088 for optometristsin the Inglewood 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 Inglewood 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