Optometrist Salary in Temecula, CA: $142,458 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Temecula, CA earns a median $142,458/year (≈ $68.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Temecula's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $125,958 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Temecula, California, the 2026 median annual salary for optometrists is projected to reach $142,458, just slightly above the national median of $140,612. The salary range for professionals in this field varies significantly, with earnings spanning from $82,625 at the 10th percentile to $208,035 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing, reflect a healthy compensation framework influenced by California's expanding scope of practice, including glaucoma treatment, prescribing oral medications, and performing select laser procedures. Given these factors, Temecula's job market for optometrists is poised for growth, making it an appealing location for those seeking a lucrative career in eye care.
About the Temecula Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,625 | $39.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,545 | $55.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,458 | $68.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,381 | $81.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,035 | $100.02 |
Median Salary Position
1.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temecula
In Temecula, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,410 (2026 est.). At $142,458, the local median is 1.31% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temecula: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Temecula Optometrist Pay Compares
Temecula median: $142,458/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temecula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,391 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.31% more |
Optometrists in Temecula, CA earn a median of $142,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.31% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% above the California state average of $139,391.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temecula has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Temecula, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,458 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,958 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,762
2025 BLS Actual
$138,362
2026 Current Est.
$142,458
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Temecula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,762 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,599 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,238 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $185,014 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,362 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,458 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,674 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temecula metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,762 (2019) to $138,362 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,674 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,912 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temecula 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) | $82,625 – $115,545 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,545 – $142,458 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,458 – $170,381 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,381 – $208,035 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Temecula
With only 25 optometrists currently employed in the Temecula area, the competition is relatively balanced, offering a robust environment for both new and experienced practitioners. The cost of living in Temecula, with an index of 113.1, suggests that while salaries are competitive, potential optometrists should consider how take-home pay aligns with living expenses. Among local employers, high-paying opportunities tend to be available within private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups, where the revenue-sharing models can significantly enhance income. The gap between lower and higher salaries is often driven by factors such as equity in practice ownership, specialized training in ocular disease treatments, and employment structures post-acquisition by private equity firms. To maximize their pay, optometrists in Temecula should focus on enhancing their qualifications, such as pursuing residency training or seeking positions in practices with an OD/MD model, which can bolster their earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Temecula, 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 $138,362 for optometristsin the Temecula 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 Temecula 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