Optometrist Salary in Tustin, CA: $139,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Tustin, CA earns a median $139,195/year (≈ $66.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Tustin's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $123,073 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tustin, California, the 2026 median annual salary for optometrists is projected to be $139,195, which represents a slight decrease of 1.01% compared to the national median of $140,612. Optometrists in the region can expect their salaries to range from $80,733 at the 10th percentile to $203,471 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse local market influenced by structural choices such as practice ownership, employment as associates, or partnerships with retail optical chains. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate that these choices significantly impact earning potential, primarily due to factors like equity in private practice, the OD/MD practice model's surgical referral revenue, and the terms of employment related to private equity acquisitions of formerly independent practices.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,733 | $38.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,182 | $52.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,195 | $66.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,351 | $80.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,471 | $97.82 |
Median Salary Position
1.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tustin
In Tustin, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,738 (2026 est.). At $139,195, the local median is 1.01% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tustin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tustin Optometrist Pay Compares
Tustin median: $139,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tustin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,334 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.01% less |
Optometrists in Tustin, CA earn a median of $139,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.01% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.10% below the California state average of $139,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tustin has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tustin, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,195 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,073 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,088
2025 BLS Actual
$135,193
2026 Current Est.
$139,195
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,088 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,047 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,324 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $180,777 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,193 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,315 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tustin metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,088 (2019) to $135,193 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,315 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,227 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tustin 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) | $80,733 – $108,182 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,182 – $139,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,195 – $167,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,351 – $203,471 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Tustin
Despite having only 18 optometrists employed in Tustin, the local job market remains competitive, buoyed by a cost of living index of 113.1, which affects overall purchasing power. This index indicates that while salaries are respectable, the living costs exert pressure on real earnings. Among the various types of employers, private optometry practices, especially those that maintain a focus on ocular disease and are led by residency-trained professionals, tend to offer higher compensation. Conversely, retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision may provide less competitive pay, influenced by their operational model. Factors contributing to the disparities in optometrist pay in Tustin include the ownership structure, specialization, and experience level. To optimize earnings, aspiring optometrists should consider pursuing residency training and seeking opportunities within practices that offer potential profit sharing or ownership options, allowing them to capitalize on their skill set in a growing market.
More salary data for Tustin, 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 $135,193 for optometristsin the Tustin 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 Tustin 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