Optometrist Salary in Richmond, CA: $141,974 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Richmond, CA earns a median $141,974/year (≈ $68.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $125,530 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Richmond, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $141,974 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this area spans from $82,344 at the 10th percentile to $211,615 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating that compensation can vary significantly based on factors such as practice ownership, work setting, and specialty training. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicating a positive outlook for those in the field, especially as the optometry profession continually evolves with expanded scopes of practice and increasing demand for vision care.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,344 | $39.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,214 | $52.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,974 | $68.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,350 | $82.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,615 | $101.73 |
Median Salary Position
0.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,271 (2026 est.). At $141,974, the local median is 0.97% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Optometrist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $141,974/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,326 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.97% more |
Optometrists in Richmond, CA earn a median of $141,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.97% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.90% above the California state average of $139,326.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,974 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,530 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,366
2025 BLS Actual
$137,892
2026 Current Est.
$141,974
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,366 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,193 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,503 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,806 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,136 | Actual |
| 2024 | $184,385 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,892 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,974 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,176 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,366 (2019) to $137,892 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,176 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,810 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $82,344 – $109,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,214 – $141,974 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,974 – $172,350 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,350 – $211,615 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Richmond
In Richmond, approximately 25 optometrists are currently employed, highlighting a relatively focused job market that can shape compensation strategies for newcomers and established practitioners alike. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the effective take-home pay for optometrists may be impacted, requiring careful budgeting to maintain a desirable lifestyle. Among local employers, private practices often lead in compensation, particularly those that utilize the OD/MD model and integrate with ophthalmology services, which provide enhanced revenue-sharing opportunities. The variance in pay largely revolves around practice ownership dynamics, with equity positions and residency training—particularly in ocular disease—affording higher salaries. For those looking to maximize their earnings in the Richmond market, targeting high-quality practice settings and pursuing additional training in specialty areas can be advantageous, given the ongoing shifts in the industry landscape.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $137,892 for optometristsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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