Optometrist Salary

North Port vs Orlando: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between North Port, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Port, FL
$167,506
$80.53/hr
Orlando, FL
$164,829
$79.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Port, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$167,506$164,829
Hourly Rate$80.53$79.25
Entry Level (P10)$99,377$88,154
25th Percentile$139,295$129,256
75th Percentile$172,602$168,010
Top Earner (P90)$222,116$199,434
Total Employed80290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Port ($167,506) and Orlando ($164,829) optometrist salaries.North PortOrlandoMedian Salary$167,506$164,829Entry Level (P10)$99,377$88,154Top Earner (P90)$222,116$199,434US Median $140,612

Verdict

North Port, FL offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Orlando.

The salary gap between North Port and Orlando is $2,677 (1.62%). North Port's median is +19.13% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Port spans $122,739,Orlando spans $111,280. North Port has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Port
P10 (Entry)$99,377
P25$139,295
Median$167,506
P75$172,602
P90 (Top)$222,116
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$88,154
P25$129,256
Median$164,829
P75$168,010
P90 (Top)$199,434

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Port ($163,553 effective) pays 0.63% more than Orlando ($162,524 effective).

North Port
Nominal: $167,506
CoL Index: 102.417
Adjusted: $163,553
Orlando
Nominal: $164,829
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $162,524

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Port if…

  • Higher median salary ($167,506/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($222,116)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $163,553)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in North Port grew 41.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 36.2% growth in Orlando over the same period.

North Port, FL

+41.6%

$114,930 (2019) → $162,690 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+36.2%

$117,570 (2019) → $160,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: North Port or Orlando?

North Port has a higher median optometrist salary at $167,506/year, compared to Orlando at $164,829/year — a difference of $2,677 (1.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Port and Orlando?

North Port optometrists earn $80.53/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $79.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Port to Orlando as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Port and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Port = $163,553, Orlando = $162,524), job availability (80 vs 290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in North Port vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $99,377 in North Port and $88,154 in Orlando. The North Port area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, OD

Career Analyst

Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov