Optometrists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $149,340 +10.8% vs national
Median hourly $71.80
10th percentile $104,000
90th percentile $210,110
Employed locally 380
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $104,000
    25th
    $134,330
    50th (median)
    $149,340
    75th
    $172,690
    90th
    $210,110

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 95% Median Optometrists salary is 5% below 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 San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $208,940
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $92,840
    Physicians, All Other $95,320
    Pharmacy Technicians $70,740
    Pharmacists $196,250
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $81,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in San Jose, CA is $71.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $99.87 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in San Jose, CA is 10.8% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $104,000 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $134,330.