Optometrists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Median annual salary
$139,560
+3.5% vs national
Median hourly
$67.10
10th percentile
$75,350
90th percentile
$206,740
Employed locally
30
National median
$134,830
Compare Optometrists salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Santa Cruz, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Optometrists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
Santa Cruz economic context
Unemployment rate
5.90%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$109,266
2023 • Census ACS
Optometrists salary vs area income
128%
Median Optometrists salary is 28% above the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Optometrists make per hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Santa Cruz, CA is $67.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $79.25 or more per hour.
Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Optometrists salaries?
The median Optometrists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 3.5% 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 Santa Cruz?
Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $75,350 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $104,840.