Optometrists Salary in Salinas, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salinas, CA

Median annual salary $149,510 +10.9% vs national
Median hourly $71.88
10th percentile $105,010
90th percentile $187,580
Employed locally 30
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $105,010
    25th
    $109,580
    50th (median)
    $149,510
    75th
    $167,910
    90th
    $187,580

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 158% Median Optometrists salary is 58% 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 Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$135,080
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$80,600
    Pharmacy Technicians$48,870
    Family Medicine Physicians$410,370
    Pharmacists$169,050
    Medical Records Specialists$50,640

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Salinas?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Salinas, CA is $71.88, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.95 or more per hour.

    Is Salinas above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Salinas, CA is 10.9% above 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $105,010 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $109,580.