Optometrists in California
Thinking about a career as an Optometrists in California? Below are the key facts. Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions. Ophthalmologists are included in “Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric” (29-1241).
What do Optometrists Make in California?
For a optometrists working in California, the typical annual salary is $137,070 per year (or roughly $65.90/hour).Pay can range from $71,860 at the 10th percentile to $213,420 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $71,860 | $34.55 |
| 25th percentile | $108,310 | $52.07 |
| Median (50th) | $137,070 | $65.90 |
| 75th percentile | $166,900 | $80.24 |
| 90th percentile | $213,420 | $102.60 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California nationwide is 1.38, indicating that optometrists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, optometrists earn a median of $116,847 per year ($56.18/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 1,080,119 optometrists across the United States. In California alone, around 6,790 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 480 optometrists.
Top California Metros for Optometrists
The largest metro-area employers of optometrists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,720 | $137,070 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 980 | $157,750 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 550 | $131,890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 540 | $134,250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 490 | $154,450 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 380 | $149,340 |
| Fresno, CA | 160 | $129,250 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 120 | $129,530 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 110 | $125,280 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 90 | $134,750 |
| Vallejo, CA | 90 | $156,410 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 80 | $165,870 |
| Modesto, CA | 60 | $137,130 |
| Visalia, CA | 50 | $130,770 |
| Chico, CA | 40 | $131,540 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 40 | $152,660 |
| Salinas, CA | 30 | $149,510 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 30 | $139,560 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 30 | $134,820 |
Top States for Optometrists Employment
View the states that employ the most optometrists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 6,790 |
| Texas | 3,180 |
| New York | 2,500 |
| Florida | 2,280 |
| Illinois | 1,670 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,530 |
| Ohio | 1,450 |
| North Carolina | 1,400 |
| Michigan | 1,330 |
| Massachusetts | 1,120 |
| Virginia | 1,120 |
| Colorado | 980 |
| Indiana | 960 |
| Arizona | 960 |
| New Jersey | 950 |
| Washington | 930 |
| Maryland | 870 |
| Georgia | 860 |
| Wisconsin | 750 |
| Minnesota | 700 |
Highest-Paying States for Optometrists
Where optometrists earn the most: optometrists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $165,830 |
| New York | $163,040 |
| Maryland | $157,830 |
| Washington | $157,650 |
| New Jersey | $156,000 |
| Vermont | $156,000 |
| New Mexico | $154,630 |
| District of Columbia | $154,300 |
| North Carolina | $153,750 |
| Massachusetts | $150,820 |
Skills
Key optometrists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for optometrists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, optometrists typically:
- Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
- Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
- Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
- Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
- Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
- Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
- Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.
- Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
- Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.
- Provide vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Processing Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Working with Computers
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Apple Safari In-demand technologies: Apple Safari
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Other careers like optometrists include:
- Chiropractors
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Podiatrists
- Nurse Practitioners
- Audiologists
- Anesthesiologists
Also Known As
Optometrist, Optometry Doctor (OD), Therapeutic Optometrist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1041.00
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