Optometrist Salary in Stockton, CA: $136,309 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Stockton, CA earns a median $136,309/year (≈ $65.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $129,708 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for optometrists in Stockton, California, is projected to be $136,309, slightly lower than the national median of $140,612. This salary range extends from $108,407 at the 10th percentile to as much as $218,347 for those at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variation among practitioners. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Importantly, the structure of optometrist compensation in Stockton is nuanced, often influenced by the OD/MD model of surgical co-management that enhances revenue prospects and overall earnings. Given the competitive market dynamics, understanding local remuneration trends is crucial for both aspiring optometrists and those currently practicing in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,407 | $52.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,428 | $59.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,309 | $65.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,642 | $83.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,347 | $104.98 |
Median Salary Position
3.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,940 (2026 est.). At $136,309, the local median is 3.06% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stockton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stockton Optometrist Pay Compares
Stockton median: $136,309/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,375 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.06% less |
Optometrists in Stockton, CA earn a median of $136,309 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.06% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% below the California state average of $139,375.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,309 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $129,708 — a 4.84% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,200
2025 BLS Actual
$132,390
2026 Current Est.
$136,309
2019–2027 Growth
+15.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,309 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,343 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 9.2% from $121,200 (2019) to $132,390 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,343 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,143 (15.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stockton 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) | $108,407 – $123,428 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,428 – $136,309 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,309 – $173,642 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,642 – $218,347 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Stockton
With 70 optometrists employed in the Stockton area, the local job market is steady but increasingly competitive. The cost of living index in Stockton is reported at 105.089, indicating that living expenses are above the national average and affecting take-home purchasing power for optometrists. Market indicators suggest that private practices generally offer higher pay compared to retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. High earners in the field often benefit from ownership equity, practicing alongside ophthalmologists in OD/MD models or possessing advanced residency training that caters to ocular disease. Practical strategies for increasing pay include exploring surgical co-management roles and seeking opportunities in private practices, which have greater financial flexibility compared to publicly traded or private equity-owned firms. Understanding these dynamics can significantly impact how much optometrists make in Stockton, CA.
More salary data for Stockton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Stockton, CA in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Stockton?
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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 $132,390 for optometristsin the Stockton 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