Optometrist Salary in Delray Beach, FL: $162,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Delray Beach, FL earns a median $162,218/year (≈ $77.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Delray Beach's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $160,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in Delray Beach, Florida, is expected to reach $162,218, surpassing the national median of $140,612 by a significant margin of 15.37%. The salary range for this profession varies considerably, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $94,086 and the top 90% making up to $248,208. These figures indicate that the local optometrist pay in Delray Beach, FL, reflects not only the state's expanding scope of practice—which includes glaucoma management, the prescription of oral medications, and certain laser procedures—but also the local demand for vision care professionals. As Delray Beach continues to grow in both population and healthcare needs, the job market for optometry in the area remains promising.
About the Delray Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,086 | $45.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,974 | $63.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $162,218 | $77.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,447 | $92.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $248,208 | $119.33 |
Median Salary Position
15.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Delray Beach
In Delray Beach, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $154,122 (2026 est.). At $162,218, the local median is 15.37% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Delray Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Delray Beach Optometrist Pay Compares
Delray Beach median: $162,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Delray Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,732 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +15.37% more |
Optometrists in Delray Beach, FL earn a median of $162,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.37% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.30% above the Florida state average of $161,732.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Delray Beach has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Delray Beach, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $162,218 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $160,931 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,958
2025 BLS Actual
$157,554
2026 Current Est.
$162,218
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Delray Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,958 | Actual |
| 2020 | $136,188 | Actual |
| 2021 | $143,399 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,887 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,385 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $167,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delray Beach metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $132,958 (2019) to $157,554 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $167,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,061 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delray Beach 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) | $94,086 – $132,974 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,974 – $162,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $162,218 – $192,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,447 – $248,208 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Delray Beach
Currently, there are 15 optometrists working in Delray Beach, suggesting a competitive and thriving job market. The cost-of-living index sits slightly above the national average at 100.8, indicating that while salaries are lucrative, the purchasing power may be tempered somewhat by local expenses. Among employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups often offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains like Walmart Vision or LensCrafters. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to factors such as ownership stakes in practices, training in ocular disease, and employment structures related to partnerships with ophthalmologists. Optometrists looking to maximize their salaries in Delray Beach should consider pursuing residency training, engaging in specialty practices, or aligning themselves with healthcare systems that recognize the value of expanded scopes of practice within optometry.
More salary data for Delray Beach, 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 $157,554 for optometristsin the Delray Beach 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 Delray Beach 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