Optometrist Salary in Modesto, CA: $141,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Modesto, CA earns a median $141,549/year (≈ $68.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Modesto's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.1), that paycheck buys what $135,964 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Modesto, California, is projected at $141,549 annually, which is slightly above the national median of $140,612. This environment offers a competitive salary range for optometrists, with figures spanning from $108,736 at the 10th percentile to $214,332 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the local demand for both independent and chain optometry practice models. Optometrists in Modesto often weigh their options between independent practice ownership and employment at retail chains or ophthalmology partnerships, which significantly influences earning potential and job satisfaction in a market characterized by a diverse array of employment structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,736 | $52.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,883 | $59.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,549 | $68.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,172 | $93.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,332 | $103.04 |
Median Salary Position
0.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Modesto
In Modesto, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,596 (2026 est.). At $141,549, the local median is 0.67% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Modesto: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Modesto Optometrist Pay Compares
Modesto median: $141,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Modesto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,320 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.67% more |
Optometrists in Modesto, CA earn a median of $141,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.67% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.60% above the California state average of $139,320.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Modesto has a cost of living 4.11% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Modesto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 104.108 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,549 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,964 — a 3.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,370
2025 BLS Actual
$137,480
2026 Current Est.
$141,549
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $152,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Modesto metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 10.5% from $124,370 (2019) to $137,480 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,369 (17.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto 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) | $108,736 – $122,883 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,883 – $141,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,549 – $194,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,172 – $214,332 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Modesto
Given the 90 optometrists currently practicing in Modesto, the job market is relatively strong, but the cost of living index at 104.108 suggests that expenses are higher than the national average, affecting take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically offer higher pay compared to retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision, mainly due to the equity gained from practice ownership and the additional revenue generated from surgical referrals in OD/MD collaborations. Factors contributing to the salary spread include residency training, particularly in ocular disease, and the employment conditions following acquisitions by private equity firms, which can alter compensation structures. For optometrists seeking to maximize their pay in Modesto, pursuing residency training, positioning oneself within the more lucrative OD/MD model, and exploring independent practice opportunities may yield the best financial outcomes.
More salary data for Modesto, 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 $137,480 for optometristsin the Modesto 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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