Optometrist salary in Modesto, CA
Optometrists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $137,480 a year ($66.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $105,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,170 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% higher than the California statewide median of $136,300. There are 0.45 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $149,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,610 | $50.77 |
| 25th percentile | $119,350 | $57.38 |
| Median | $137,480 | $66.09 |
| 75th percentile | $188,590 | $90.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,170 | $100.08 |
| Average (mean) | $149,020 | $71.65 |
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 | $11,456.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,728.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,287.69 |
| Weekly | $2,643.85 |
| Hourly | $66.09 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $129,370 | 100 |
| 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 Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $132,590 | $63.75 |
| Physical Therapist | $126,600 | $60.86 |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,910 | $59.57 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $173,380 | $83.36 |
| Pharmacist | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Physicians, All Other | $323,580 | $155.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $103,870 | $49.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $116,770 | $56.14 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,730 | $79.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $121,110 | $58.23 |
| Dentists, General | $167,050 | $80.31 |
| Veterinarian | $162,160 | $77.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $97,830 | $47.03 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $260,020 | $125.01 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Modesto, CA metro area is $137,480 a year, or $66.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $105,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $208,170 a year. The top 25% earn $188,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $105,610 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $119,350 or less.
How many optometrists work in Modesto, CA?
About 90 optometrists are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.