Optometrist Salary in Hialeah, FL: $170,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hialeah, FL earns a median $170,211/year (≈ $81.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hialeah's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $168,860 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Hialeah, Florida, optometry presents a promising career path with a projected median salary of $170,211 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $140,612 by 21.05%. The salary distribution is broad, with entry-level positions starting around $98,722 and experienced professionals earning up to $259,135. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors. As the job market evolves, optometrists here face choices between practice ownership, employed positions, and retail optometry roles, all of which can significantly influence earning potential and job satisfaction in this vibrant city.
About the Hialeah Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,722 | $47.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,556 | $63.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,211 | $81.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,457 | $100.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $259,135 | $124.58 |
Median Salary Position
21.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hialeah
In Hialeah, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $160,413 (2026 est.). At $170,211, the local median is 21.05% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hialeah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hialeah Optometrist Pay Compares
Hialeah median: $170,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hialeah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,798 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +21.05% more |
Optometrists in Hialeah, FL earn a median of $170,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.05% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 5.20% above the Florida state average of $161,798.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hialeah has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hialeah, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $170,211 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $168,860 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,510
2025 BLS Actual
$165,318
2026 Current Est.
$170,211
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hialeah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,465 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,027 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,617 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,318 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,250 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hialeah metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $139,510 (2019) to $165,318 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,250 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,740 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hialeah 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) | $98,722 – $131,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,556 – $170,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,211 – $208,457 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,457 – $259,135 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hialeah
Hialeah’s job market for optometrists is fairly robust, with 35 optometrists currently employed in the area. The cost of living is slightly above the national average at a CoL index of 100.8, which can impact take-home pay and housing affordability. Typically, private optometry practices and ophthalmology settings tend to offer higher salaries than retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, but practice ownership comes with its own financial rewards and responsibilities. Factors such as residency training, particularly in ocular disease, plus involvement in the OD/MD model can also lead to higher compensation. Maximizing pay potential in Hialeah involves considering these settings, pursuing additional qualifications, and fully understanding employment terms, especially in an environment influenced by private equity acquisitions in the sector.
More salary data for Hialeah, 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 $165,318 for optometristsin the Hialeah 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 Hialeah 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