Optometrist Salary in Jacksonville, FL: $166,342 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Jacksonville, FL earns a median $166,342/year (≈ $79.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.5), that paycheck buys what $167,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, Florida, the projected median annual optometrist salary for 2026 is set at $166,342, which is notably higher than the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $103,310 at the 10th percentile to $216,721 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial variability in compensation based on experience, practice setting, and specialty. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflects how the expanding scope of practice in Florida — including glaucoma management and the prescription of oral medications — positively influences earnings. As the local job market continues to grow, opportunities for optometrists in Jacksonville look promising.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,310 | $49.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,080 | $62.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,342 | $79.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,865 | $81.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,721 | $104.20 |
Median Salary Position
18.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,411 (2026 est.). At $166,342, the local median is 18.3% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be above the median
How Jacksonville Optometrist Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $166,342/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,811 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +18.30% more |
Optometrists in Jacksonville, FL earn a median of $166,342 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.30% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% above the Florida state average of $161,811.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 0.52% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, FL has a cost-of-living index of 99.484 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $166,342 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $167,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,260
2025 BLS Actual
$161,560
2026 Current Est.
$166,342
2019–2027 Growth
+118.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,342 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $171,266 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 106.4% from $78,260 (2019) to $161,560 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $171,266 by 2027 — a total increase of $93,006 (118.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $103,310 – $130,080 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,080 – $166,342 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,342 – $168,865 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,865 – $216,721 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Jacksonville
The job market for optometrists in Jacksonville features approximately 150 professionals currently employed. The cost of living index in the area stands at 99.484, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, living expenses remain slightly below the national average, preserving purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups tend to offer higher salaries compared to retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include ownership structures, practice models that integrate optometrists with ophthalmologists, and the impact of minimally invasive procedures on revenue. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in this market, pursuing residency training and focusing on specialty areas such as ocular disease can enhance one's attractiveness to prospective employers. Understanding the nuances of practice ownership and networking within the local healthcare community can also provide advantageous pathways to higher compensation.
More salary data for Jacksonville, 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 $161,560 for optometristsin the Jacksonville 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
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