Optometrist Hourly Pay in Plant City, FL: $73.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Plant City, FL runs $73.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $153,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Plant City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $91,886 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plant City, Florida, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $73.63, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $67.60. This competitive pay reflects the region's demand for skilled optometrists across various settings, including private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and even VA outpatient clinics. For those looking at part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, the potential earnings become quite attractive. With an hourly range from $42.70 for entry-level positions to $106.78 for top earners, this profession supports both financially rewarding part-time careers and per-diem work for those wanting flexibility. It's important to recognize that these hourly projections take into account annual salary data, offering a comprehensive overview of what optometrists can expect to earn in the local job market.
About the Plant City 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) | $42.70 | $341.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.60 | $476.83 |
| Median (P50) | $73.63 | $589.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.64 | $709.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.78 | $854.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plant City
Based on $73.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $73.63/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plant City, FL can expect to earn approximately $153,144 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $88,352. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Plant City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plant City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,945.07 | $12,762 | $153,144 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,767.04 | $7,657 | $91,886 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,178.03 | $5,105 | $61,257 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Plant City) | $73.63 |
| 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 Plant City, FL earn a median of $153,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.91% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 5.30% below the Florida state average of $161,710.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $73.63/hr = $91,886/year (purchasing power: $91,157).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $153,144/year (purchasing power: $151,928).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$60.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$73.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Plant City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $65.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $69.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Plant City grew 18.5% from $60.35/hr (2019) to $71.51/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $75.81/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 Plant City 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 Plant City
Exploring part-time compensation further, those who work as optometrists for three days a week, averaging around 24 hours, would still yield substantial returns compared to a full-time schedule. Per-diem and locum opportunities also present impressive earning potential, where optometrists can charge between $500 to $800 per day in retail environments, while those filling in at OD/MD practices can command $700 to $1,200 daily. Residency-trained ocular disease professionals often receive $90 to $130 per hour. The hourly wages experienced in Plant City vary considerably depending on the type of employer, with retail optical practices typically offering different rates compared to private practices or hospital systems. While some optometrists may accept lower hourly pay for the security of benefits, others might prefer higher compensation without those perks. As negotiations become paramount in this environment, it’s advisable for hourly workers to gather salary benchmarks and be prepared to highlight their specialized skills or experience, especially in a competitive market influenced by evolving scopes of practice within optometry.
More salary data for Plant City, 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 Plant City. 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 Plant City 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