Optometrist Salary in Oxnard, CA: $132,973 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Oxnard, CA earns a median $132,973/year (≈ $63.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Oxnard's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 110.5), that paycheck buys what $120,301 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, optometrists in Oxnard, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $132,973, highlighting a competitive compensation landscape that reflects varying practice structures within the area. The salary range extends from $106,862 at the 10th percentile to $209,802 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earnings potential depending on the specific employment setting. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates how practice ownership, associate roles, and retail chain opportunities impact overall earnings in Oxnard. With a robust job market containing around 120 optometrists, individuals can strategically navigate their career paths based on personal goals, whether they're drawn to the independence of private practice or the stability offered by larger retail chains.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,862 | $51.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,105 | $60.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,973 | $63.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,349 | $81.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,802 | $100.87 |
Median Salary Position
5.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oxnard
In Oxnard, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,940 (2026 est.). At $132,973, the local median is 5.43% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oxnard: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oxnard Optometrist Pay Compares
Oxnard median: $132,973/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oxnard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,385 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.43% less |
Optometrists in Oxnard, CA earn a median of $132,973 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.43% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.60% below the California state average of $139,385.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oxnard has a cost of living 10.53% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oxnard, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.534 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,973 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,301 — a 9.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,530
2025 BLS Actual
$129,150
2026 Current Est.
$132,973
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Oxnard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,973 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,909 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oxnard metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 31.1% from $98,530 (2019) to $129,150 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,909 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,379 (38.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxnard 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) | $106,862 – $126,105 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,105 – $132,973 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,973 – $169,349 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,349 – $209,802 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Oxnard
Cost of living in Oxnard, with a CoL index of 110.534, plays a critical role in the effective take-home pay for optometrists in this region. Although salaries are lower than the national median, local factors such as the demand for care and the presence of private equity-owned practices can create disparities in compensation. Among the highest-paying employers include private optometry practices which often provide incentives for residency-trained professionals, particularly in specialties like ocular disease. The variation in optometrist pay in Oxnard, CA, can also be attributed to the differences in practice models, including the OD/MD collaborative setup that allows for revenue-sharing from surgical referrals. New graduates and ODs looking to maximize earnings should consider specializing and seeking positions within practices that offer equity stakes or innovative compensation structures, enhancing their earning potential amidst a changing industry landscape.
More salary data for Oxnard, 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 $129,150 for optometristsin the Oxnard 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