Optometrists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $157,750 +17% vs national
Median hourly $75.84
10th percentile $84,920
90th percentile $217,590
Employed locally 980
National median $134,830

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Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Optometrists
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San Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $84,920
    25th
    $124,910
    50th (median)
    $157,750
    75th
    $207,460
    90th
    $217,590

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 118% Median Optometrists salary is 18% 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
    Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $157,380
    Vallejo, CA $156,410
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $155,890
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $154,450

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $188,020
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $90,810
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $81,390
    Pharmacy Technicians $61,990
    Pharmacists $183,510
    Dental Hygienists $146,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in San Francisco, CA is $75.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $106.42 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in San Francisco, CA is 17% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $84,920 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $124,910.