Optometrist Hourly Pay in Hialeah, FL: $81.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Hialeah, FL runs $81.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $170,211 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Hialeah's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $81.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,127 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hialeah, Florida, those working in optometry can expect a median hourly pay of $81.83, which represents a significant 21.05% increase compared to the national hourly median of $67.60. This favorable compensation allows both full-time and part-time optometrists to enjoy a decent standard of living. For instance, part-time practitioners working three days a week can still earn a respectable income, while per-diem optometrists who fill in at various settings—such as private practices, retail optical chains, or VA clinics—can take advantage of flexible scheduling. New entrants into the field may start around $47.46 per hour, whereas more experienced or specialized optometrists can command rates up to $124.58, depending on their employer type and experience level.
About the Hialeah Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.46 | $379.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.25 | $505.99 |
| Median (P50) | $81.83 | $654.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100.22 | $801.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124.58 | $996.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hialeah
Based on $81.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.83/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hialeah, FL can expect to earn approximately $170,212 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,199. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hialeah.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hialeah
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,273.30 | $14,184 | $170,212 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,963.98 | $8,511 | $102,127 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,309.32 | $5,674 | $68,085 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Hialeah) | $81.83 |
| 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 Hialeah, FL earn a median of $170,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.05% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 5.20% above the Florida state average of $161,798.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.83/hr = $102,127/year (purchasing power: $101,317).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $170,212/year (purchasing power: $168,861).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Hialeah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $68.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Hialeah grew 18.5% from $67.07/hr (2019) to $79.48/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.25/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 Hialeah 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 Hialeah
When considering part-time work, an optometrist in Hialeah who works three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can take home about $101,380 annually, a salary that allows for a comfortable lifestyle, albeit less than what a full-time role would offer. Per-diem optometrists, on the other hand, often earn more on a daily basis, with typical pay ranging from $500 to $1,200 per day depending on their practice setting. Those filling shifts in retail chains can expect pay at the lower end of this scale, while residency-trained specialists often demand higher rates in hospital systems. The hourly compensation may vary across entities like private practices, retail chains, and VA medical centers, and it’s crucial for optometrists to weigh the benefits of health insurance against potentially higher hourly rates without benefits. Negotiating effectively for a higher hourly pay, especially in an area with expanding scopes of practice, can be advantageous for those entering the workforce or considering career shifts.
More salary data for Hialeah, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Hialeah. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hialeah is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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