Optometrists Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $134,820 +-0% vs national
Median hourly $64.82
10th percentile $76,460
90th percentile $202,500
Employed locally 30
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
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Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,460
    25th
    $102,380
    50th (median)
    $134,820
    75th
    $153,170
    90th
    $202,500

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 140% Median Optometrists salary is 40% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,470
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $76,640
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,130
    Family Medicine Physicians $287,230
    Physical Therapists $121,330
    Dental Hygienists $132,010

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Santa Maria, CA is $64.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $79.68 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Santa Maria, CA is 0% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $76,460 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $102,380.