Optometrist Salary in Merced, CA: $135,377 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Merced, CA earns a median $135,377/year (≈ $65.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Merced's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $119,697 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average annual compensation for optometrists practicing in Merced, California, is projected at $135,377, slightly below the national median of $140,612. This figure reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusts for regional cost considerations, with salaries ranging from $78,518 at the 10th percentile to $198,995 at the 90th percentile. The optometry workforce in Merced benefits from an expanded scope of practice, enabling professionals to manage conditions such as glaucoma and prescribe oral medications. With the increasing adoption of laser procedures in some states, the role of optometrists continues to evolve, shaping their compensation landscape in this region.
About the Merced Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,518 | $37.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,878 | $50.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,377 | $65.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,424 | $78.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,995 | $95.67 |
Median Salary Position
3.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,477 (2026 est.). At $135,377, the local median is 3.72% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Merced Optometrist Pay Compares
Merced median: $135,377/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,277 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.72% less |
Optometrists in Merced, CA earn a median of $135,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.72% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% below the California state average of $139,277.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,377 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,697 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,959
2025 BLS Actual
$131,485
2026 Current Est.
$135,377
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,655 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,672 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,914 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $175,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,485 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,377 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,384 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,959 (2019) to $131,485 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,384 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,425 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $78,518 – $105,878 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,878 – $135,377 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,377 – $163,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,424 – $198,995 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Merced
The local job market for optometrists in Merced is relatively solid with around 20 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, which indicates that while salaries may seem attractive, the purchasing power can be impacted. Practices such as Visionworks or Walmart Vision may offer competitive salaries but often come with the tradeoff of less autonomy compared to private practices. Factors like ownership equity, partnerships with ophthalmology practices, and specialized training (such as ocular disease residencies) can lead to notable disparities in pay. To maximize earning potential, optometrists should consider roles that leverage these factors, perhaps aiming to develop collaborative arrangements that allow for surgical referrals or ownership stakes within private practice settings. Understanding employer preferences in Merced can also be key in negotiating salaries that better reflect the local economic context.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Merced, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Merced?
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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 $131,485 for optometristsin the Merced 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 Merced 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