Optometrist Salary in DeLand, FL: $156,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in DeLand, FL earns a median $156,881/year (≈ $75.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in DeLand's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $155,636 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an optometrist in DeLand, Florida, can expect a median annual salary of $156,881, which reflects a notable 11.57% increase over the national median of $140,612. The local salary range is substantial, spanning from $94,968 at the 10th percentile to $229,238 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the region’s cost of living, indexed at 100.8, slightly above the national average. This market offers ample opportunities for both employed associates and practice owners, with the latter often commanding higher salaries due to equity stakes and revenue-sharing models, particularly when working alongside ophthalmologists in an OD/MD environment.
About the DeLand Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,968 | $45.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,552 | $63.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $156,881 | $75.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,904 | $91.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $229,238 | $110.21 |
Median Salary Position
11.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeLand
In DeLand, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,270 (2026 est.). At $156,881, the local median is 11.57% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeLand: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How DeLand Optometrist Pay Compares
DeLand median: $156,881/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeLand Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,733 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +11.57% more |
Optometrists in DeLand, FL earn a median of $156,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.57% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.00% below the Florida state average of $161,733.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeLand has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
DeLand, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $156,881 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,636 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,584
2025 BLS Actual
$152,371
2026 Current Est.
$156,881
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in DeLand (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,584 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,708 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,681 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,121 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,116 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,063 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,371 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $161,525 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeLand metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $128,584 (2019) to $152,371 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $161,525 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,941 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeLand 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $94,968 – $131,552 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,552 – $156,881 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $156,881 – $189,904 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,904 – $229,238 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in DeLand
The local job market for optometrists in DeLand features a modest presence, with only seven professionals currently employed in the area. While salaries can vary widely, the cost of living index suggests that take-home pay should allow for a comfortable lifestyle. Optometrists affiliated with private practices, especially those that offer residency training in ocular disease or provide specialized services, typically enjoy higher compensation. In contrast, retail optical chains like LensCrafters may offer competitive pay, but generally less than independent settings where practice ownership can drive earnings. The spread between lower and higher salaries is driven by factors such as practice structure, ownership, and specific employment conditions in private equity-owned practices. To maximize pay in DeLand, aspiring optometrists would benefit from pursuing additional training, considering practice ownership, and exploring opportunities in expanding specialties aligned with the evolving scope of practice.
More salary data for DeLand, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $152,371 for optometristsin the DeLand metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for DeLand 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