Optometrist Salary in Florida: $150,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Florida's 81 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $150,357/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Florida sits at BEA RPP 100.8 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $149,164 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hialeah ($165,318), Sarasota ($165,104), Port St. Lucie ($163,272).
In 2026, the average median salary for optometrists in Florida is projected to be $150,357, which is 6.9% higher than the national median of $140,612. This represents a strong salary landscape for professionals in the state. The highest paying city for optometrists is Hialeah, offering an impressive $170,211, while Fort Lauderdale presents the lowest salary at $127,369, highlighting a gap of $42,842 between these locations. Factors such as cost of living variations, demand for eye care services, and local economic conditions contribute to this disparity. Florida's demand for optometrists is supported by its growing population and a high prevalence of age-related eye conditions. Additionally, the state's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws allow optometrists to perform a wider range of services, potentially influencing salary levels. The state's job market for optometrists is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.96%, signaling a stable outlook for those entering the profession. Other cities with competitive salaries include Sarasota at $169,991, Port St. Lucie at $168,105, Sanford at $168,079, and Fort Myers at $167,978, providing various opportunities for new and seasoned professionals alike.
Florida Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Florida: $60,139 (lowest entry-level) to $260,563 (highest top earner)
Florida vs National Average
Florida optometrists earn 6.93% more than the national median (+$9,745/year difference).
Florida Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Florida range from $82,635 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $214,129 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $150,357. The Florida median is $9,745 above the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $72.29/hr. Approximately 3,157 optometrists are employed across 81 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$90,499
2025 BLS Actual
$146,034
2026 Current Est.
$150,357
2019–2027 Growth
+71.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Florida (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,499 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,053 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,821 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,282 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,816 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,034 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florida metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 61.4% from $90,499 (2019) to $146,034 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $64,308 (71.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florida 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Florida
Lowest Paying Cities in Florida
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | $127,369 |
| Miami | $129,246 |
| West Palm Beach | $132,156 |
| St. Petersburg | $141,451 |
| Tampa | $142,219 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Florida
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Florida cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hialeah | $170,211 | 100.8 | $168,860 |
| Sarasota | $169,991 | 100.8 | $168,642 |
| Jacksonville | $166,342 | 99.484 | $167,205 |
| Port St. Lucie | $168,105 | 100.8 | $166,771 |
| Sanford | $168,079 | 100.8 | $166,745 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Florida
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $82,635 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $150,357 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $214,129 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Florida metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 81 Cities in Florida
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hialeah | $170,211 |
| 2 | Sarasota | $169,991 |
| 3 | Port St. Lucie | $168,105 |
| 4 | Sanford | $168,079 |
| 5 | Fort Myers | $167,978 |
| 6 | North Port | $167,506 |
| 7 | Coral Springs | $166,801 |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $166,342 |
| 9 | Cape Coral | $166,322 |
| 10 | Gainesville | $165,455 |
| 11 | Pembroke Pines | $165,285 |
| 12 | Winter Haven | $165,112 |
| 13 | Tallahassee | $164,906 |
| 14 | Orlando | $164,829 |
| 15 | Doral | $163,999 |
| 16 | Bradenton | $163,974 |
| 17 | Largo | $163,230 |
| 18 | Davie | $162,997 |
| 19 | Hollywood | $162,671 |
| 20 | Deltona | $162,646 |
| 21 | Delray Beach | $162,218 |
| 22 | Kissimmee | $162,105 |
| 23 | Miramar | $161,913 |
| 24 | Palm Coast | $161,794 |
| 25 | Lakeland | $161,791 |
| 26 | Boca Raton | $161,410 |
| 27 | Cutler Bay | $160,824 |
| 28 | Boynton Beach | $160,679 |
| 29 | Panama City | $160,471 |
| 30 | Winter Park | $160,447 |
| 31 | Leesburg | $160,422 |
| 32 | North Miami | $160,347 |
| 33 | Port Orange | $160,298 |
| 34 | Ormond Beach | $160,141 |
| 35 | Jupiter | $160,077 |
| 36 | Miami Gardens | $159,991 |
| 37 | Daytona Beach | $159,868 |
| 38 | Plantation | $159,693 |
| 39 | Aventura | $159,656 |
| 40 | Royal Palm Beach | $159,618 |
| 41 | Pompano Beach | $159,481 |
| 42 | Homestead | $159,449 |
| 43 | Key West | $159,417 |
| 44 | Tamarac | $159,103 |
| 45 | Apopka | $159,065 |
| 46 | Oviedo | $158,915 |
| 47 | Pinellas Park | $158,796 |
| 48 | Deerfield Beach | $158,681 |
| 49 | Pensacola | $158,610 |
| 50 | Estero | $158,199 |
| 51 | Wellington | $158,142 |
| 52 | St. Cloud | $158,142 |
| 53 | Sebastian | $157,923 |
| 54 | Coconut Creek | $157,784 |
| 55 | Altamonte Springs | $157,609 |
| 56 | Lauderhill | $157,592 |
| 57 | Ocala | $157,405 |
| 58 | Sunrise | $157,220 |
| 59 | Palm Beach Gardens | $157,207 |
| 60 | Margate | $157,156 |
| 61 | North Lauderdale | $156,956 |
| 62 | Haines City | $156,956 |
| 63 | DeLand | $156,881 |
| 64 | Bonita Springs | $156,721 |
| 65 | Winter Garden | $156,052 |
| 66 | Clermont | $155,965 |
| 67 | Dunedin | $155,061 |
| 68 | Winter Springs | $154,986 |
| 69 | Ocoee | $154,948 |
| 70 | Oakland Park | $154,433 |
| 71 | North Miami Beach | $153,693 |
| 72 | Plant City | $153,140 |
| 73 | Melbourne | $146,449 |
| 74 | Titusville | $143,174 |
| 75 | Clearwater | $143,169 |
| 76 | Palm Bay | $143,145 |
| 77 | Tampa | $142,219 |
| 78 | St. Petersburg | $141,451 |
| 79 | West Palm Beach | $132,156 |
| 80 | Miami | $129,246 |
| 81 | Fort Lauderdale | $127,369 |
More Florida Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Compare Cities in Florida
View all comparisons →Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Florida in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Florida?
How does Florida optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Florida?
How many optometrists are employed in Florida?
Which Florida city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Florida. State averages are employment-weighted across 81 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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