Optometrist Hourly Pay in Miami, FL: $62.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Miami, FL runs $62.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,246 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Miami's regional price level (BEA RPP 114.2, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,546 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Miami, Florida, optometrists can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $62.14, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $67.60. This compensation reflects the profession's dynamic setting, including private practices, retail optical chain locations, and outpatient clinics. For those seeking part-time work, earning potential is significant: an optometrist working three days a week (or 24 hours) will earn approximately $41,500 annually if they maintain this hourly pay, providing a viable living for many. Entry-level optometrists in the city can start at an hourly rate of $28.91, while the top earners can make as much as $96.38 per hour, creating a broad spectrum of potential salaries within the field.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.91 | $231.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.57 | $412.58 |
| Median (P50) | $62.14 | $497.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.81 | $678.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.38 | $771.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Miami
Based on $62.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.14/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Miami, FL can expect to earn approximately $129,244 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,564. With a cost-of-living index of 114.16 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Miami.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Miami
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,485.45 | $10,770 | $129,244 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,491.27 | $6,462 | $77,546 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $994.18 | $4,308 | $51,697 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Miami) | $62.14 |
| 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 Miami, FL earn a median of $129,246 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.08% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 20.10% below the Florida state average of $161,759.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.14/hr = $77,546/year (purchasing power: $67,931).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,244/year (purchasing power: $113,218).
CoL index: 114.155 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+88.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Miami (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Miami grew 77.5% from $34.00/hr (2019) to $60.35/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.98/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 Miami 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 Miami
Part-time optometrists working three days a week may show a stark contrast in annual earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. A per diem optometrist, particularly in retail settings, typically brings in $500 to $800 per day, with those filling in at ophthalmology practices often earning between $700 and $1,200 per day. Furthermore, residency-trained optometrists, especially those specializing in ocular disease, frequently command higher rates ranging from $90 to $130 per hour. These variations in hourly pay reflect differences in employer types, as private practices may offer stability and benefits but lower hourly rates, whereas retail chains might provide higher pay sans benefits. For those looking to negotiate, understanding the local job market in Miami and the varying pay structures is vital, as higher hourly wages may come at the cost of essential benefits like health insurance.
More salary data for Miami, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Miami in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Miami?
Are optometrists in Miami paid hourly or salary?
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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 Miami. 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