Optometrist Hourly Pay in Sarasota, FL: $81.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Sarasota, FL runs $81.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $169,991 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Sarasota's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $81.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $101,999 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sarasota, FL, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to reach $81.73 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $67.60/hr, highlighting the area's competitive compensation in the field. This hourly rate offers versatile opportunities for both part-time and per-diem optometrists working in various settings, from private optometry exam rooms to retail optical chains and university teaching clinics. The local hourly range spans from approximately $47.40 for entry-level positions to up to $117.43 for highly experienced practitioners, allowing flexibility in earnings depending on experience and location within the region. As these rates are derived from annual salary estimates, they reflect the financial potential for optometrists considering a blend of stable hours or periodic work arrangements.
About the Sarasota 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) | $47.40 | $379.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.08 | $512.66 |
| Median (P50) | $81.73 | $653.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.03 | $776.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117.43 | $939.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sarasota
Based on $81.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.73/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sarasota, FL can expect to earn approximately $169,998 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,076. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sarasota.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sarasota
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,269.19 | $14,166 | $169,998 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,961.51 | $8,500 | $101,999 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,307.67 | $5,667 | $67,999 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Sarasota) | $81.73 |
| 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 Sarasota, FL earn a median of $169,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.89% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 5.10% above the Florida state average of $161,742.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.73/hr = $101,999/year (purchasing power: $101,189).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $169,998/year (purchasing power: $168,648).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Sarasota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $68.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Sarasota grew 18.5% from $66.99/hr (2019) to $79.38/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.15/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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota
Part-time optometrists working three days a week, typically totaling around 24 hours, can expect to take home a respectable income, although it may not match the full-time counterparts who typically enjoy greater financial stability and benefits. For those opting for per-diem or agency work, the situation looks promising, with fill-in professionals often billing $500 to $800 a day in retail environments, and their counterparts in OD/MD practices commanding $700 to $1,200 per day. It's also worth mentioning that residency-trained ocular disease optometrists within hospital systems might earn between $90 and $130 an hour. The variations in hourly pay can depend heavily on the type of practice, whether it be independent, retail, or hospital-associated, leading to trade-offs between hourly pay rates and benefits such as health insurance. Consequently, optometrists in Sarasota must be strategic in negotiations, considering their long-term career goals while assessing both hourly rates and the additional value of comprehensive benefits. For example, higher hourly wages might come without health insurance, a crucial factor for many professionals in this field.
More salary data for Sarasota, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Sarasota in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Sarasota?
Are optometrists in Sarasota paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Sarasota?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Sarasota?
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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 Sarasota. 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 Sarasota 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