Optometrist Salary in Thousand Oaks, CA: $132,435 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Thousand Oaks, CA earns a median $132,435/year (≈ $63.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Thousand Oaks's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $117,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thousand Oaks, California, optometrists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $132,435 in 2026, which positions them slightly below the national median of $140,612 for the same year. The salary range for optometrists in this city spans from $76,812 at the 10th percentile to a notable $202,499 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a wide variability depending on practice ownership and employment settings. The local estimates for these salaries are shaped by both state-level data and regional price adjustments, considering the specific economic environment in Thousand Oaks as well as local demand for optometric services. As the optometry market continues to adjust, practitioners have different pathways that may affect their compensation, making it crucial to understand the nuances of their employment options.
About the Thousand Oaks Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,812 | $36.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,718 | $51.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,435 | $63.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,801 | $78.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,499 | $97.36 |
Median Salary Position
5.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thousand Oaks
In Thousand Oaks, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,687 (2026 est.). At $132,435, the local median is 5.82% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thousand Oaks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thousand Oaks Optometrist Pay Compares
Thousand Oaks median: $132,435/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thousand Oaks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,406 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.82% less |
Optometrists in Thousand Oaks, CA earn a median of $132,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.82% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.00% below the California state average of $139,406.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thousand Oaks has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thousand Oaks, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,435 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $117,095 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,548
2025 BLS Actual
$128,628
2026 Current Est.
$132,435
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Thousand Oaks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,548 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,185 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,287 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,192 | Actual |
| 2024 | $182,031 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,628 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,435 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,355 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thousand Oaks metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,548 (2019) to $128,628 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,355 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,807 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thousand Oaks 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) | $76,812 – $107,718 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,718 – $132,435 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,435 – $163,801 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,801 – $202,499 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Thousand Oaks
The job market for optometrists in Thousand Oaks comprises approximately 32 professionals, indicating a stable local presence in this field. However, living in this area can be costly, with a cost-of-living index at 113.1, meaning that while optometrist pay in Thousand Oaks, CA, can be substantial, the purchasing power may be affected. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology offices generally provide higher pay scales compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, largely due to factors such as profit-sharing models and the collaborative relationship between optometrists and ophthalmologists. Variances in compensation arise from practice ownership, specialization, and additional training in ocular disease or surgical models. For those eager to maximize their earnings, focusing on building a residency-trained profile or seeking roles in high-revenue, collaborative environments may offer the best outcomes in this competitive market.
More salary data for Thousand Oaks, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Thousand Oaks, CA in 2026?
Is Thousand Oaks, CA a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Thousand Oaks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Thousand Oaks?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Thousand Oaks?
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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 $128,628 for optometristsin the Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks 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