Optometrist Salary in Palmdale, CA: $138,449 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Palmdale, CA earns a median $138,449/year (≈ $66.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Palmdale's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $122,413 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Palmdale, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $138,449, which aligns closely with the national figure of $140,612, indicating a healthy local market for eye care professionals. The salary range for optometrists in this region varies widely from $80,301 at the 10th percentile to $213,049 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, suggest that opportunities for higher compensation exist, particularly for those who own their practices or work under the OD/MD model where they can benefit from surgical referral revenue. With a total of 29 optometrists employed in Palmdale, the choices between private practice, retail chains, and ophthalmology settings create distinct avenues for salary variation and job satisfaction in this market.
About the Palmdale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,301 | $38.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,609 | $53.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,449 | $66.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,366 | $82.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,049 | $102.42 |
Median Salary Position
1.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palmdale
In Palmdale, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,748 (2026 est.). At $138,449, the local median is 1.54% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palmdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palmdale Optometrist Pay Compares
Palmdale median: $138,449/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palmdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,285 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.54% less |
Optometrists in Palmdale, CA earn a median of $138,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.54% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the California state average of $139,285.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palmdale has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palmdale, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,449 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,413 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,477
2025 BLS Actual
$134,469
2026 Current Est.
$138,449
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Palmdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,477 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,234 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,388 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,658 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,831 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,809 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,469 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,449 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palmdale metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,477 (2019) to $134,469 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,070 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palmdale 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) | $80,301 – $110,609 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,609 – $138,449 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,449 – $172,366 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,366 – $213,049 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Palmdale
Despite the seemingly high median salary, the cost of living index in Palmdale stands at 113.1, which can impact overall purchasing power and necessitates careful financial planning. Employers like private optometry practices generally offer higher pay compared to retail optical chains. The pay disparity can largely be attributed to practice ownership equity, the ability to provide additional services in an OD/MD collaboration, and the financial implications of working within a private equity-owned practice. Strategies for maximizing pay in Palmdale may include pursuing residency training to gain advanced skills in ocular disease, negotiating favorable contracts when transitioning from private practice to a larger network, and educating oneself about negotiating compensation packages that account for the region's cost-of-living differences. By understanding these dynamics, optometrists can better position themselves to achieve optimal compensation in the evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Palmdale, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Palmdale, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Palmdale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Palmdale?
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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 $134,469 for optometristsin the Palmdale 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 Palmdale 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