Optometrist Salary in Dunedin, FL: $155,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Dunedin, FL earns a median $155,061/year (≈ $74.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Dunedin's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $153,830 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Dunedin, Florida, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $155,061, reflecting the higher local earning potential compared to the national median of $140,612. This salary range showcases significant variability, from $90,899 at the lower end (P10) to $223,089 at the upper end (P90), which indicates a robust market for optometry in the area. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living factors such as Dunedin's cost of living index at 100.8. The expansion of optometric practice rights within Florida, including the treatment of glaucoma and the ability to prescribe oral medications, enhances the demand for optometrists in the region, driving up compensation as practices seek to recruit qualified professionals.
About the Dunedin Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,899 | $43.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,834 | $61.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,061 | $74.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,574 | $89.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,089 | $107.25 |
Median Salary Position
10.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dunedin
In Dunedin, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,190 (2026 est.). At $155,061, the local median is 10.28% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dunedin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dunedin Optometrist Pay Compares
Dunedin median: $155,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dunedin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,859 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +10.28% more |
Optometrists in Dunedin, FL earn a median of $155,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.28% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.20% below the Florida state average of $161,859.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dunedin has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dunedin, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,061 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $153,830 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,092
2025 BLS Actual
$150,603
2026 Current Est.
$155,061
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Dunedin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,092 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,495 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,409 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,589 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,603 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,651 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dunedin metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $127,092 (2019) to $150,603 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,651 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,559 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dunedin 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) | $90,899 – $127,834 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,834 – $155,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,061 – $185,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,574 – $223,089 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Dunedin
Within Dunedin's local job market, six optometrists are currently employed, a number that suggests a focused yet competitive space to establish a practice. The cost of living in the area, with an index slightly above the national average, influences take-home pay and purchasing power for ODs. Among the potential employers, private optometry practices often offer more favorable compensation packages compared to retail optical chains like Walmart Vision or Pearle Vision. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include practice ownership equity, specialty residency training, and post-acquisition employment arrangements. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, optometrists should consider diversifying their skill sets with advanced training in ocular disease, exploring practice ownership, or aligning with ophthalmology units that benefit from surgical referrals, which could result in substantial revenue sharing.
More salary data for Dunedin, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Dunedin?
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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 $150,603 for optometristsin the Dunedin 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 Dunedin 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