Optometrist Salary in Murrieta, CA: $139,046 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Murrieta, CA earns a median $139,046/year (≈ $66.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $122,941 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the projected optometrist salary in Murrieta, California, sits at $139,046, closely aligning with the national average of $140,612 yet reflecting a slight local variance of -1.11%. Salary ranges from $80,647 at the 10th percentile to $209,997 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant income potential depending on factors such as practice ownership, whether one is an employed associate, or part of a retail chain. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing, highlight how the choice of practice structure greatly impacts earning potential in this market. With 25 optometrists currently employed in the area, the job market seems stable, suggesting opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,647 | $38.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,787 | $53.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,046 | $66.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,932 | $83.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,997 | $100.96 |
Median Salary Position
1.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,350 (2026 est.). At $139,046, the local median is 1.11% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Optometrist Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $139,046/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,325 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.11% less |
Optometrists in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $139,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.20% below the California state average of $139,325.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,046 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,941 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,966
2025 BLS Actual
$135,049
2026 Current Est.
$139,046
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,735 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,916 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,191 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,391 | Actual |
| 2024 | $180,584 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,049 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,046 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,162 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,966 (2019) to $135,049 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,162 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,196 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $80,647 – $111,787 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,787 – $139,046 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,046 – $173,932 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,932 – $209,997 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Murrieta
As the cost of living index in Murrieta measures at 113.1, it indicates a higher than average living expense, necessitating salaries that can accommodate this reality for adequate purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices are likely to offer the highest compensation, especially for those with a focus on residency training in ocular disease or who work in models alongside ophthalmologists. Additionally, retail optical chains such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision may provide lower base pay but often include benefits that can enhance overall earnings. The variance between salaries can be influenced by elements such as ownership equity in practices, patient volume, and specialty services offered, including the management of conditions like glaucoma. Therefore, potential optometrists can optimize their pay in Murrieta through targeted training, garnering experience in high-demand specialty areas, and exploring partnership opportunities to ultimately increase their earning potential.
More salary data for Murrieta, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Murrieta?
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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 $135,049 for optometristsin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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