Optometrist Salary in Tulare, CA: $140,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Tulare, CA earns a median $140,773/year (≈ $67.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Tulare's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $124,468 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists practicing in Tulare, California, can anticipate a competitive median annual salary of $140,773 in 2026, which slightly surpasses the national median of $140,612. With a salary range stretching from $81,648 at the lower decile to $203,504 at the upper decile, the compensation structure underscores the variability in earnings linked to practice ownership, employment status, and workplace setting. The choice between owning an independent practice, working as an employed associate, or joining a retail chain can significantly influence an optometrist's financial outlook. These income estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, taking into account local economic conditions and cost-of-living adjustments that reflect Tulare's specific market dynamics.
About the Tulare Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,648 | $39.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,341 | $53.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,773 | $67.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,209 | $80.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,504 | $97.84 |
Median Salary Position
0.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulare
In Tulare, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,856 (2026 est.). At $140,773, the local median is 0.11% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulare: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tulare Optometrist Pay Compares
Tulare median: $140,773/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulare Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,379 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.11% more |
Optometrists in Tulare, CA earn a median of $140,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.11% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.00% above the California state average of $139,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulare has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulare, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,773 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $124,468 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,382
2025 BLS Actual
$136,726
2026 Current Est.
$140,773
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Tulare (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,382 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,185 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,442 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,733 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,011 | Actual |
| 2024 | $182,827 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,726 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,940 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulare metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $115,382 (2019) to $136,726 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,940 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,558 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulare 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) | $81,648 – $111,341 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,341 – $140,773 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,773 – $168,209 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,209 – $203,504 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Tulare
In Tulare, the landscape for optometry is shaped by 17 employed optometrists who navigate a market characterized by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, indicating a slightly higher cost compared to the national average. This inflation in living expenses suggests that while salaries may seem lucrative, actual purchasing power might be less than it appears. Private practices often offer more competitive pay compared to retail chains like Walmart Vision or Pearle Vision, especially for optometrists who are involved in advanced care models alongside ophthalmologists, capitalizing on referral networks. Factors such as practice ownership equity, specialized training, and the operational structures of practices significantly influence income disparities. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Tulare, pursuing residency to gain specialized skills or exploring potential partnerships in high-revenue practices could prove beneficial in attaining higher compensation.
More salary data for Tulare, 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 $136,726 for optometristsin the Tulare 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 Tulare 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