Optometrist Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, FL: $79.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Jacksonville, FL runs $79.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $166,342 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $80.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,801 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, Florida, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $79.97, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $67.60. This favorable compensation allows part-time practitioners, working three days a week, to enjoy a respectable income while balancing their schedules. Hired in various settings like private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient eye clinics, these professionals have hourly earnings that range from $49.67 for entry-level positions to $104.20 for the top earners. With over 150 optometrists employed in the area, this data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects a competitive marketplace for optometrists in Jacksonville, showcasing substantial earning potential in the field.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.67 | $397.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.54 | $500.30 |
| Median (P50) | $79.97 | $639.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.18 | $649.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.20 | $833.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $79.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.97/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, 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 99.48 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| 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 (Jacksonville) | $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 Jacksonville, FL earn a median of $166,342 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.30% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% above the Florida state average of $161,811.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.97/hr = $99,801/year (purchasing power: $100,319).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $166,336/year (purchasing power: $167,198).
CoL index: 99.484 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+118.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.18/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 Jacksonville grew 106.4% from $37.63/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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
The financial landscape for part-time optometrists can be quite favorable. An optometrist working 24 hours weekly at the local median would net a substantial annual income, albeit much less than a full-time counterpart. Meanwhile, per diem opportunities in retail chains often attract optometrists due to the lucrative daily rates that can range between $500 and $800, with some specialized positions, such as residency-trained ocular disease ODs in hospital systems, fetching up to $130/hour on a 1099 basis. Hourly rates for optometrists differ significantly across employer types in Jacksonville, from private practices to retail chains like LensCrafters, influencing their total compensation. Many eye care practitioners must weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits or a more stable income with health insurance. To negotiate effectively in Jacksonville, understanding local trends and the value of specialized training, like glaucoma management or oral medications, can provide leverage during discussions about hourly compensation.
More salary data for Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville. 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, 7-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