Optometrist Salary in West Sacramento, CA: $137,176 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in West Sacramento, CA earns a median $137,176/year (≈ $65.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in West Sacramento's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $121,287 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in West Sacramento, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $137,176, which slightly lags behind the national median of $140,612. Salary prospects vary significantly, with a range stretching from $79,562 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $205,217 at the high end (90th percentile). These figures, derived from state-level data and local cost adjustments, provide insight into the local employment structure. The choice between owning a practice, working as an employed associate, or joining retail optical chains influences salary potential in this market, reflecting the diverse pathways within the optometry profession in West Sacramento.
About the West Sacramento Market
Salary estimated from California average ($160,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,562 | $38.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,433 | $54.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,176 | $65.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,742 | $80.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,217 | $98.67 |
Median Salary Position
2.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Sacramento
In West Sacramento, CA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,655 (2026 est.). At $137,176, the local median is 2.44% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Sacramento Optometrist Pay Compares
West Sacramento median: $137,176/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $139,406 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.44% less |
Optometrists in West Sacramento, CA earn a median of $137,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.44% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.60% below the California state average of $139,406.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Sacramento has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,176 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,287 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,433
2025 BLS Actual
$133,232
2026 Current Est.
$137,176
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in West Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,165 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,262 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,637 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,154 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,232 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,176 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,236 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Sacramento metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,433 (2019) to $133,232 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,236 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,803 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Sacramento 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) | $79,562 – $112,433 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,433 – $137,176 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,176 – $167,742 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,742 – $205,217 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in West Sacramento
With only nine optometrists employed in the area, the local job market for this profession is relatively niche, yet impactful due to the higher cost of living index of 113.1. This index suggests that while salaries may appear competitive, the purchasing power may be strained by the regional economic landscape. Typically, private optometry practices offer the best pay, particularly those led by residency-trained optometrists or those integrated into an OD/MD model, which may involve surgical revenue sharing. Retail chains might pay less overall, although they provide job security and benefits. Strategies for maximizing earnings in West Sacramento include pursuing advanced residency training, remaining adaptable to various practice settings, and considering ownership opportunities for greater financial return in the long term.
More salary data for West Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in West Sacramento?
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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 $133,232 for optometristsin the West Sacramento 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 West Sacramento 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