Optometrist Salary in Madera, CA: $136,094 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Madera, CA earns a median $136,094/year (≈ $65.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Madera's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $120,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Madera, California, the expected annual compensation for optometrists is pegged at $136,094 in 2026, slightly trailing the national median of $140,612. The salary spectrum showcases a range from $78,934 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $201,116 at the high end (P90). These figures reflect estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for regional economic conditions. Madera benefits from California's broad scope of practice, allowing optometrists to manage glaucoma and prescribe oral medications, which can elevate their market value and potential earnings. As an area with a limited number of optometrists—just eight—competition for these professionals remains relatively low, suggesting opportunities for those in the field.
About the Madera Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,934 | $37.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,266 | $53.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,094 | $65.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,348 | $79.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,116 | $96.69 |
Median Salary Position
3.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madera
In Madera, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,182 (2026 est.). At $136,094, the local median is 3.21% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madera: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madera Optometrist Pay Compares
Madera median: $136,094/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madera Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,297 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.21% less |
Optometrists in Madera, CA earn a median of $136,094 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.21% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.30% below the California state average of $139,297.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madera has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madera, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,094 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,331 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,546
2025 BLS Actual
$132,181
2026 Current Est.
$136,094
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Madera (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,546 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,256 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,305 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,554 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,622 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,181 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,094 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,122 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madera metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,546 (2019) to $132,181 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,122 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,576 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madera 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) | $78,934 – $110,266 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,266 – $136,094 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,094 – $165,348 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,348 – $201,116 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Madera
The local job market dynamics reveal deeper insights into the optometrist pay in Madera, CA. With a cost-of-living index at 113.1, practitioners may find their earnings stretched, impacting overall purchasing power. Among possible employers, private ophthalmology practices and retail chains like Walmart Vision tend to offer the highest compensation. Factors contributing to the wide salary range include the presence of optometrists in both retail settings and independent practices, with ownership stakes in private practices often translating to greater financial rewards. Additionally, optometrists with residency training, particularly in ocular disease, may also command higher salaries. To maximize pay, new graduates should consider gaining experience in high-demand specialties or seeking roles in high-paying areas that leverage surgical referral partnerships with ophthalmologists.
More salary data for Madera, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Madera, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Madera?
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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 $132,181 for optometristsin the Madera 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 Madera 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