Optometrist Salary in San Buenaventura, CA: $140,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in San Buenaventura, CA earns a median $140,724/year (≈ $67.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in San Buenaventura's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $124,424 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in San Buenaventura, CA, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $140,724, slightly above the national average of $140,612. The full salary range here is noteworthy, starting from $81,619 at the 10th percentile and reaching up to $216,320 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. With surgical co-management becoming increasingly integrated into optometry practices, many optometrists benefit from additional revenue streams, enhancing overall compensation. This trend contributes to a competitive job market for optometrists in San Buenaventura, making it a region of interest for emerging professionals and experienced practitioners alike.
About the San Buenaventura Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,619 | $39.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,128 | $55.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,724 | $67.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,734 | $84.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,320 | $104.00 |
Median Salary Position
0.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Buenaventura
In San Buenaventura, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,701 (2026 est.). At $140,724, the local median is 0.08% above the national median of $140,612.
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How San Buenaventura Optometrist Pay Compares
San Buenaventura median: $140,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Buenaventura Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,330 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.08% more |
Optometrists in San Buenaventura, CA earn a median of $140,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.00% above the California state average of $139,330.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Buenaventura has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Buenaventura, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,724 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $124,424 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,341
2025 BLS Actual
$136,678
2026 Current Est.
$140,724
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in San Buenaventura (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,341 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,143 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,398 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,689 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,964 | Actual |
| 2024 | $182,762 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,678 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,889 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Buenaventura metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $115,341 (2019) to $136,678 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,889 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,548 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Buenaventura 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) | $81,619 – $115,128 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,128 – $140,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,724 – $174,734 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,734 – $216,320 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in San Buenaventura
The job landscape for optometrists in San Buenaventura is relatively robust, with 19 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, which indicates that living expenses are above national average levels, impacting take-home purchasing power. Amid this competitive environment, private practices, particularly those utilizing the OD/MD collaborative model, often tend to offer higher salaries compared to retail optical chains. The significant disparity in pay can also be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, residency training specialization, and the terms of employment in the wake of recent acquisitions by private equity firms. To maximize compensation in San Buenaventura, optometrists should consider opportunities with ophthalmology practices, invest in further education, or seek roles that align with high-revenue specialties that complement the evolving scope of practice in the field.
More salary data for San Buenaventura, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in San Buenaventura, CA in 2026?
Is San Buenaventura, CA a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in San Buenaventura?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in San Buenaventura?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in San Buenaventura?
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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 $136,678 for optometristsin the San Buenaventura 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 San Buenaventura 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