Optometrist Salary in Santa Clarita, CA: $142,362 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Santa Clarita, CA earns a median $142,362/year (≈ $68.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Santa Clarita's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $125,873 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $142,362 for 2026, optometrists in Santa Clarita, CA can expect earnings that slightly surpass the national median of $140,612. Salaries in the area vary considerably, with a range from $82,570 at the 10th percentile to $220,661 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for significant income variation based on experience and practice settings. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. The expanding scope of practice in California, which allows optometrists to manage conditions such as glaucoma, prescribe oral medications, and perform selected laser procedures, likely contributes to the area's robust compensation packages, making Santa Clarita a competitive market for eye care professionals.
About the Santa Clarita Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,570 | $39.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,459 | $54.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,362 | $68.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,949 | $85.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,661 | $106.09 |
Median Salary Position
1.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,091 (2026 est.). At $142,362, the local median is 1.24% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clarita Optometrist Pay Compares
Santa Clarita median: $142,362/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,297 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.24% more |
Optometrists in Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $142,362 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% above the California state average of $139,297.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clarita has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clarita, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,362 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,873 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,684
2025 BLS Actual
$138,269
2026 Current Est.
$142,362
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Santa Clarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,684 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,846 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,152 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $184,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,269 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,362 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clarita metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,684 (2019) to $138,269 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,892 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clarita 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) | $82,570 – $113,459 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,459 – $142,362 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,362 – $177,949 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,949 – $220,661 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Santa Clarita
The job market for optometrists in Santa Clarita is solid, with 41 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 113.1, means that while salaries are strong, take-home purchasing power can be impacted. Among the highest-paying employment settings, private optometry practices—particularly those with ownership opportunities—tend to offer better compensation compared to retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks. Additionally, optometrists practicing in a collaborative OD/MD model, where they work alongside ophthalmologists, can benefit from shared surgical referral revenue. Factors driving salary disparities include practice ownership equity and the level of training, especially for those with residency experience in ocular disease. To maximize earnings in the Santa Clarita market, aligning with high-performing practices and exploring ownership options may be advantageous.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Santa Clarita?
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Related Pages
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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 $138,269 for optometristsin the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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