Optometrist Hourly Pay in Palm Bay, FL: $68.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Palm Bay, FL runs $68.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,145 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Palm Bay's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,885 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Palm Bay, Florida, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $68.82, slightly above the national average of $67.60. This competitive rate can significantly impact part-time optometrists who work about three days a week, allowing them to earn a sustainable income while accommodating flexibility in their professional lives. For per-diem optometrists, the settings vary widely, ranging from private optometry exam rooms to retail optical chain locations and outpatient clinics. The hourly earnings in Palm Bay span a wide spectrum, with entry-level positions starting at $29.84 while senior optometrists can earn up to $84.48 per hour, based on official 2025 BLS data projected to 2026. This data highlights not just the financial viability of the profession in the area, but also reflects the opportunities available for various work arrangements within the field.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.84 | $238.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.49 | $387.95 |
| Median (P50) | $68.82 | $550.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.45 | $643.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.48 | $675.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palm Bay
Based on $68.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.82/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palm Bay, FL can expect to earn approximately $143,142 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,582. With a cost-of-living index of 100.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Palm Bay.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palm Bay
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,752.74 | $11,929 | $143,142 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,651.64 | $7,157 | $85,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,101.10 | $4,771 | $57,257 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Palm Bay) | $68.82 |
| 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 Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $143,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.80% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 11.50% below the Florida state average of $161,746.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.82/hr = $85,885/year (purchasing power: $85,881).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,142/year (purchasing power: $143,135).
CoL index: 100.005 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Palm Bay grew 18.5% from $56.41/hr (2019) to $66.84/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.86/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 Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay
Analyzing the part-time earnings reveals intriguing insights for optometrists in Palm Bay. A part-time optometrist working three days a week, with a 24-hour work schedule, can expect to take home roughly $85,200 annually, a figure that still supports a comfortable lifestyle, albeit less than full-time practitioners. On the other hand, per diem optometrists can command substantial daily rates, billing anywhere from $500 to $800 at retail chains and even higher for practice fills, often ranging from $700 to $1,200. Various employer types contribute to this disparity in earning potential; private practices, retail chains, and specialty medical centers each have distinct pay structures. While some optometrists may opt for the higher hourly rate without benefits, others prioritize the security of health insurance that comes with a lower pay rate. When discussing compensation, it may be advantageous for hourly workers in Palm Bay to emphasize their specific skill sets, particularly in enhanced scopes of practice like glaucoma management and other advanced care areas, as these can justify higher rates during negotiations.
More salary data for Palm Bay, 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 Palm Bay. 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, 5-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