Optometrist Salary in Vacaville, CA: $139,046 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Vacaville, CA earns a median $139,046/year (≈ $66.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $122,941 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Vacaville, California, presents a lucrative opportunity for optometrists, with a median annual salary of $139,046. This figure slightly trails the national median of $140,612, reflecting local market conditions and the dynamics of practice ownership versus employed positions. The salary range for optometrists in this region spans from $80,647 at the 10th percentile to as much as $215,522 at the 90th percentile. Estimates suggest that the local job market's structure — a mix of private practices, retail chains, and ophthalmology partnerships — contributes significantly to the salary variations. With 15 optometrists currently working in Vacaville, the competition and choices available can influence earning potential based on practice models and patient demographics.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,647 | $38.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,787 | $53.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,046 | $66.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,717 | $83.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,522 | $103.62 |
Median Salary Position
1.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
In Vacaville, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,875 (2026 est.). At $139,046, the local median is 1.11% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vacaville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vacaville Optometrist Pay Compares
Vacaville median: $139,046/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vacaville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,325 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.11% less |
Optometrists in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $139,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.20% below the California state average of $139,325.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vacaville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,046 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,941 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,966
2025 BLS Actual
$135,049
2026 Current Est.
$139,046
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,735 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,916 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,191 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,391 | Actual |
| 2024 | $180,584 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,049 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,046 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,162 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,966 (2019) to $135,049 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,162 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,196 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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) | $80,647 – $111,787 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,787 – $139,046 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,046 – $173,717 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,717 – $215,522 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Vacaville
Examining the job market further reveals that the cost of living index in Vacaville is 113.1, indicating that, although salaries are competitive, expenses are slightly higher than the national average. This can affect overall purchasing power, making it essential for optometrists to consider their practice settings carefully. Notably, private optometry practices and those associated with ophthalmology tend to offer higher compensation than retail optical chains, where lower wages can be common. Factors such as ownership equity, the incorporation of advanced ocular disease management, and residency training can further widen the pay gap among practitioners. To maximize earnings in Vacaville, aspiring optometrists should focus on acquiring residency training, considering various practice environments, and leveraging opportunities for specialization in areas like glaucoma management and laser procedures, thereby enhancing both their marketability and income potential.
More salary data for Vacaville, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Vacaville?
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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 $135,049 for optometristsin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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