Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$400,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$192.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+33% vs US median
US median $300,080
State Rank
#3 of 34
820 employed here

How much does an Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric make in California?

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric in California take home a median of $400,150 annually — roughly $192.38 an hour — which runs 33% above the national median of $300,080.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $99,040 while the top 10% make $499,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $186,200 and $433,530 a year.

Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$99,040$47.62
25th percentile (early career)$186,200$89.52
50th percentile (median)$400,150$192.38
75th percentile (experienced)$433,530$208.43
90th percentile (top earners)$499,330$240.06

How California compares

California ranks 3rd out of 34 states and territories for Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Rhode Island$450,370
2New Hampshire$404,330
3California$400,150
4Florida$399,440
5Iowa$394,900

Working as an Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric in California

Nationally, about 9,000 people work as Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($400,150) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric make in California?
The median Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric salary in California is $400,150 per year, or about $192.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $99,040 at the entry level to $499,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric about 33% more than the national median of $300,080. California ranks 3rd out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $400,150 a year. About 820 Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric salary report

Related salaries

Dentist, All Other Specialists

$224,990
median pay · 5,000 employed

Psychiatrist

$281,870
median pay · 28,000 employed

Physician, All Other

$265,930
median pay · 343,000 employed

Neurologist

$248,560
median pay · 11,000 employed

Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric

$358,550
median pay · 14,000 employed

Anesthesiologist

$391,490
median pay · 39,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.