Optometrist Salary in Long Beach, CA: $143,527 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Long Beach, CA earns a median $143,527/year (≈ $69.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $126,903 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projection for optometrist salary in Long Beach, California, sits at an impressive $143,527, signaling strong compensation potential in a region where the practice of optometry has expanded to include advanced procedures such as glaucoma management and the prescription of oral medications. This salary ranges from $83,246 at the entry level (P10) to $222,468 for seasoned professionals (P90), reflecting a diverse scope of practice that allows for considerable variation in earnings based on experience and specialization. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data with regional price parity adjustments, reveal a promising context for job seekers or those already in practice. As Long Beach continues to grow its healthcare sector, the demand for skilled optometrists is likely to remain robust.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,246 | $40.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,296 | $55.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,527 | $69.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,636 | $87.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $222,468 | $106.95 |
Median Salary Position
2.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,222 (2026 est.). At $143,527, the local median is 2.07% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Optometrist Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $143,527/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,347 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.07% more |
Optometrists in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $143,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.07% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.00% above the California state average of $139,347.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,527 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,903 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,639
2025 BLS Actual
$139,401
2026 Current Est.
$143,527
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,639 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,497 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,193 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,593 | Actual |
| 2024 | $190,639 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,401 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,527 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,776 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $117,639 (2019) to $139,401 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,776 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,137 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $83,246 – $116,296 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,296 – $143,527 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,527 – $181,636 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,636 – $222,468 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Long Beach
There are currently 89 optometrists employed in Long Beach, contributing to a competitive local job market characterized by its unique cost-of-living index of 113.1. This figure indicates a higher-than-average cost of living, which may affect the take-home purchasing power for practitioners. Among potential employers, private practices and ophthalmology clinics typically offer the highest pay structures, especially for those engaged in the OD/MD model, which allows for profit sharing in surgical referrals. The gap between low and high pay can be attributed to factors such as practice ownership excellence, the benefits that come with residency training, and differences in employment conditions tied to private equity acquisitions of formerly independent practices. To maximize earnings in this market, optometrists should consider pursuing additional certifications, such as ocular disease training, and align with practices that offer the most lucrative arrangements, particularly those that foster an integrated care approach and allow for expanded clinical roles.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Long Beach?
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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 $139,401 for optometristsin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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