Optometrist Hourly Pay in Cape Coral, FL: $79.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Cape Coral, FL runs $79.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $166,322 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Cape Coral's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.3, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $78.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,801 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cape Coral, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to reach $79.97 in 2026, which significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $67.60. This higher pay bracket reflects the demand for optometrists in various settings, from private practices to retail optical chains such as LensCrafters and Walmart Vision. Part-time practitioners working three days a week can deliver quality care while earning a respectable income; for instance, working approximately 24 hours a week allows for a substantial annual income potential as well. Entry-level optometrists in Cape Coral can expect to earn around $49.87 an hour, while experienced and specialized professionals nearing the top of their field can command up to $91.67 per hour, showcasing a broad spectrum of earnings within the profession.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.87 | $398.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.27 | $506.15 |
| Median (P50) | $79.97 | $639.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.74 | $653.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.67 | $733.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cape Coral
Based on $79.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.97/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cape Coral, FL can expect to earn approximately $166,336 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,963. With a cost-of-living index of 102.35 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cape Coral.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cape Coral
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,198.76 | $13,861 | $166,336 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,919.26 | $8,317 | $99,801 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,279.50 | $5,545 | $66,534 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Cape Coral) | $79.97 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Cape Coral, FL earn a median of $166,322 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.28% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% above the Florida state average of $161,791.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.97/hr = $99,801/year (purchasing power: $97,511).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $166,336/year (purchasing power: $162,518).
CoL index: 102.349 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+134.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Cape Coral (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Cape Coral grew 120.7% from $35.19/hr (2019) to $77.67/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $82.34/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Coral metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Cape Coral
As professionals consider their career options, understanding part-time earnings can provide insight into the financial landscape of optometry. A three-day-a-week schedule translates to around $124,000 annually, which, while not the full-time salary range for optometrists, still represents solid pay for a part-time commitment. For those seeking more flexibility, per diem roles range quite a bit; retail fill-in optometrists may earn between $500 and $800 daily, whereas those in OD/MD practices can see $700 to $1,200 a day. Factors like employment type significantly influence earnings; private optometry offices tend to offer lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits, while agency work can yield a higher hourly rate without such perks. Negotiating these terms effectively is crucial for practitioners to maximize their earning potential while considering their long-term career goals, particularly in the evolving field of optometry in Florida.
More salary data for Cape Coral, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Cape Coral in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Cape Coral. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov