Optometrist Salary in Lodi, CA: $134,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lodi, CA earns a median $134,428/year (≈ $64.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lodi's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $118,858 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Lodi, California, can expect a median annual salary of $134,428, revealing competitive pay compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this city spans from $77,969 at the 10th percentile to $198,460 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, adjusted for local economic factors. Lodi's optometrists benefit from California's expanded scope of practice, including the management of glaucoma and prescribing oral medications, which positively influences compensation in this market. Given the growing emphasis on comprehensive ocular care, practitioners in Lodi have opportunities for growth and advanced practice that may enhance their overall earning potential.
About the Lodi Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,969 | $37.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,851 | $52.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,428 | $64.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,104 | $78.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,460 | $95.41 |
Median Salary Position
4.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lodi
In Lodi, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,491 (2026 est.). At $134,428, the local median is 4.4% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lodi: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lodi Optometrist Pay Compares
Lodi median: $134,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lodi Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,303 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.40% less |
Optometrists in Lodi, CA earn a median of $134,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.50% below the California state average of $139,303.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lodi has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lodi, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $134,428 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $118,858 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,181
2025 BLS Actual
$130,563
2026 Current Est.
$134,428
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lodi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,181 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,858 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,833 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,066 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,678 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,563 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,407 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lodi metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,181 (2019) to $130,563 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,407 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,226 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lodi 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) | $77,969 – $108,851 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,851 – $134,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,428 – $163,104 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,104 – $198,460 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lodi
The local job market in Lodi is relatively stable, with about 14 optometrists currently employed. However, cost-of-living considerations, with a CoL index of 113.1, suggest that the purchasing power of these salaries may not stretch as far as in areas with lower living costs. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics could offer higher pay, particularly those utilizing an OD/MD model that allows for surgical referral revenue sharing. The disparity between salaries is driven by factors like practice ownership equity and whether optometrists work in retail settings compared to private practices. For those pursuing the highest salaries, acquiring residency training in ocular disease can provide a significant advantage. Practicing efficiently within the evolving landscape of Lodi's optometry field can lead to favorable compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Lodi, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Lodi?
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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 $130,563 for optometristsin the Lodi 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 Lodi 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