Healthcare San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Optometrist Salary in San Diego, California

The median optometrist salary in San Diego, CA is $188,385 per year, which is 50.0% above the national median and 2.7% above the California state average.

City Median
$188,385
vs State Avg
+$5,024
vs National
+$62,795
Cost of Living
142%

Optometrist Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level optometrist earns around $123,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $267,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$123,000
+$41,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$192,000
+$64,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$267,000
+$89,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $117,000
25th Percentile $150,000
Median (50th) $188,385
75th Percentile $237,000
90th Percentile $288,000

Optometrist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$238,621
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$221,038
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$193,409
Pop. 3,898,747
Sacramento, CA
$158,243
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Optometrist in San Diego

Education

Most optometrist positions require a doctoral degree. San Diego and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Eye ExaminationRefractionContact Lens FittingOcular DiseasePatient EducationDiagnostic Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, optometrist employment is projected to grow 9% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Optometrist Jobs in San Diego

Browse open optometrist positions in San Diego, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Optometrist Salary in San Diego

How much does a Optometrist make in San Diego, CA? ▼
The median optometrist salary in San Diego, California is $188,385 per year, which is 50.0% above the national median of $125,590. Salaries range from $117,000 (10th percentile) to $288,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Optometrist make per hour in San Diego? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $188,385, a optometrist in San Diego earns approximately $91 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Diego compare to the California state average for optometrist pay? ▼
San Diego's median optometrist salary of $188,385 is 2.7% above the California state average of $183,361. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA? ▼
San Diego has a cost of living index of 142% compared to the national average. This means a optometrist salary of $188,385 in San Diego has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a optometrist in San Diego? ▼
Most optometrist positions in San Diego require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Eye Examination, Refraction, Contact Lens Fitting, Ocular Disease. The job market is projected to grow 9% nationally over the next decade.