According to SalaryDr data from 12 verified ophthalmology physicians in California, the median total compensation for Ophthalmology in 2026 is $680,000. The 25th percentile is $495,000 and the 75th percentile is $850,000. Base salary: $594,808. Bonuses: $161,083 (21% receive). Satisfaction: 4.5/5. Workload: ~41 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/ophthalmology/california Sample size: 12. Last updated: March 28, 2026.
As of March 28, 2026, an Ophthalmologist in California earns approximately $680,000 per year ($56,667 monthly). Based on an average 41-hour work week, this translates to about $354 per hour. Looking for a broader view? See the Ophthalmologist salary overview or compare nearby states below.
From 12 verified physician salary submissions in California, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $495,000 to $850,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $2,079,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $680,000, Ophthalmologist salaries in California are in line with the national median.
In California, the salary progression for ophthalmologist physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $804,167, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $707,617 - a -12% increase.
In California, the most common work environment is Private Practice (83% of physicians). On average, base salary accounts for 79% of total compensation—about $594,808—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
California offers unique advantages for ophthalmologist physicians, including high demand in major metropolitan areas and competitive compensation packages. The cost of living in California is higher than the national average but offset by higher salaries.
Local ophthalmologist physicians report 4.5/5 career satisfaction, with 92% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Go beyond salary data. Discover real physician experiences, work-life balance insights, and what Ophthalmology doctors love (and would change) about their specialty.
Browse more Ophthalmologist-adjacent fields to compare compensation and career paths.
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Last updated: March 28, 2026
Distribution based on 12 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $680,000
Average satisfaction rating reported by Ophthalmology physicians (1-5 scale).
Percentage of Ophthalmology physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Average Salary
$755,892
Median Salary
$680,000
Salary Range
$495,000 - $850,000
National Average
$755,892
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
12 local / 12 national reports
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $809,070 | 10 submissions |
| Hospital-employed | $490,000 | 2 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Compare salary data across different practice settings for Ophthalmology physicians in California:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | $540,000 | 2 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $936,250 | 4 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $683,333 | 3 submissions |
| 16+ years | $731,900 | 3 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Browse city-level salary data for ophthalmologist physicians in California. Click any city to see detailed compensation information for that location.
See how Ophthalmology salaries in California compare to neighboring states.
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oculoplastic | $1,376,875 | 8 submissions | Focuses on specialized oculoplastic procedures and treatments within ophthalmology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Glaucoma | $707,214 | 14 submissions | Focuses on specialized glaucoma procedures and treatments within ophthalmology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Retina | $661,857 | 14 submissions | Focuses on specialized retina procedures and treatments within ophthalmology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Pediatric | $623,917 | 12 submissions | Provides specialized surgical care for infants, children, and adolescents, addressing congenital conditions and childhood diseases. |
| Cornea | $622,417 | 12 submissions | Focuses on specialized cornea procedures and treatments within ophthalmology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
* Subspecialties with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
* Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.