Optometrist salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
Optometrists in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area earn a median of $129,020 a year ($62.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $106,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,410 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 5% lower than the California statewide median of $136,300. There are 0.27 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $106,770 | $51.33 |
| 25th percentile | $114,390 | $54.99 |
| Median | $129,020 | $62.03 |
| 75th percentile | $154,200 | $74.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,410 | $79.53 |
| Average (mean) | $137,550 | $66.13 |
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 | $10,751.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,375.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,962.31 |
| Weekly | $2,481.15 |
| Hourly | $62.03 |
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 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $129,370 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $129,150 | 120 |
| 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 San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $138,820 | $66.74 |
| Pharmacist | $172,860 | $83.11 |
| Dental Hygienist | $125,670 | $60.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,950 | $78.34 |
| Veterinarian | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Dentists, General | $170,630 | $82.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $110,170 | $52.96 |
| Physician Assistant | $162,790 | $78.27 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $115,560 | $55.56 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $112,430 | $54.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $290,330 | $139.58 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $97,350 | $46.80 |
| Psychiatrist | $322,750 | $155.17 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, 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 San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?
The median salary for optometrists in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area is $129,020 a year, or $62.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $106,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area earn at least $165,410 a year. The top 25% earn $154,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $106,770 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $114,390 or less.
How many optometrists work in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?
About 30 optometrists are employed in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.