Optometrists Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $131,890 -2.2% vs national
Median hourly $63.41
10th percentile $77,330
90th percentile $211,080
Employed locally 550
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,330
    25th
    $104,960
    50th (median)
    $131,890
    75th
    $162,790
    90th
    $211,080

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 153% Median Optometrists salary is 53% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Optometrists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $176,930
    Asheville, NC $167,980
    Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $166,920
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $165,870
    Alaska $165,830
    Reno, NV $165,060

    Nearby metros — Optometrists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $166,920
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $165,870
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $157,750
    Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $157,380
    Vallejo, CA $156,410
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $155,890

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $130,160
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $75,560
    Pharmacy Technicians $48,790
    Pharmacists $160,640
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $50,300
    Respiratory Therapists $97,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Riverside, CA is $63.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $99.20 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Riverside, CA is 2.2% below the national median of $134,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Optometrists in Riverside?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $77,330 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $104,960.