Optometrist Hourly Pay in Port St. Lucie, FL: $80.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Port St. Lucie, FL runs $80.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $168,105 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Port St. Lucie's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $80.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,868 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port St. Lucie, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a competitive $80.82, significantly higher than the national average of $67.60 per hour. This pay scale opens up diverse opportunities for both full-time and part-time practitioners in various settings, such as private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and even teaching clinics. For those working part-time—perhaps three days a week—this hourly rate reflects a solid financial position, allowing for an impressive take-home income. Additionally, entry-level optometrists in the area can start at around $46.88 an hour, while the most experienced professionals can potentially earn up to $125.27 per hour. These figures, derived from annual salary data, indicate a healthy earning environment for optometrists in Port St. Lucie, with the overall hourly rates suggesting robust demand in this field.
About the Port St. Lucie 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) | $46.88 | $375.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.27 | $490.17 |
| Median (P50) | $80.82 | $646.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.79 | $782.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125.27 | $1002.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port St. Lucie
Based on $80.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.82/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port St. Lucie, FL can expect to earn approximately $168,113 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,988. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Port St. Lucie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port St. Lucie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,232.94 | $14,009 | $168,113 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,939.77 | $8,406 | $100,868 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,293.18 | $5,604 | $67,245 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Port St. Lucie) | $80.82 |
| 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 Port St. Lucie, FL earn a median of $168,105 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.55% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.90% above the Florida state average of $161,795.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.82/hr = $100,868/year (purchasing power: $100,067).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $168,113/year (purchasing power: $166,779).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Port St. Lucie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Port St. Lucie grew 18.5% from $66.25/hr (2019) to $78.50/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.22/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 Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie
The earning potential for part-time optometrists in Port St. Lucie can be quite enticing. A practitioner working three days a week, averaging 24 hours, can look forward to a comfortable annual income that surpasses many other professions in the healthcare sector. Per diem opportunities are also plentiful, with fill-in optometrists commonly earning between $500 to $800 per day at retail chains and between $700 to $1,200 for more specialized positions in OD/MD practices. Various settings, including private practices and hospitals, can influence hourly rates, often reflecting the employer's type and financial resources. Some optometrists may opt for higher hourly wages without benefits, trading off for stability that comes with employed positions. Negotiating for optimum hourly rates can be advantageous, particularly in a growing market like Port St. Lucie, where understanding the local economic dynamics can lead to better outcomes.
More salary data for Port St. Lucie, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Port St. Lucie in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Port St. Lucie?
Are optometrists in Port St. Lucie paid hourly or salary?
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Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Port St. Lucie?
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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 Port St. Lucie. 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 Port St. Lucie 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