Optometrist salary in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Optometrists in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn a median of $129,370 a year ($62.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,000 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 5% lower than the California statewide median of $136,300. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $140,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,980 | $48.07 |
| 25th percentile | $119,820 | $57.61 |
| Median | $129,370 | $62.20 |
| 75th percentile | $159,240 | $76.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $197,000 | $94.71 |
| Average (mean) | $140,940 | $67.76 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,780.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,390.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,975.77 |
| Weekly | $2,487.88 |
| Hourly | $62.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $165,360 | 80 |
| Vallejo, CA | $155,950 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $142,580 | 1,180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $140,160 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $139,890 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $139,020 | 510 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $138,940 | 2,360 |
| Modesto, CA | $137,480 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $136,730 | 100 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $135,330 | 580 |
| Visalia, CA | $135,160 | 30 |
| Salinas, CA | $133,350 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,280 | 540 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $132,390 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,990 | 510 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $129,150 | 120 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $129,020 | 30 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $122,150 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $128,810 | $61.93 |
| Pharmacist | $161,930 | $77.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $165,580 | $79.61 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| Physician Assistant | $198,070 | $95.23 |
| Dental Hygienist | $114,380 | $54.99 |
| Physical Therapist | $125,490 | $60.33 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $117,350 | $56.42 |
| Dentists, General | $172,120 | $82.75 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $332,530 | $159.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $123,200 | $59.23 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $90,760 | $43.63 |
| Veterinarian | $150,780 | $72.49 |
| Pediatricians, General | $290,420 | $139.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area is $129,370 a year, or $62.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn at least $197,000 a year. The top 25% earn $159,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,980 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $119,820 or less.
How many optometrists work in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
About 100 optometrists are employed in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.