Optometrist Salary in Melbourne, FL: $146,449 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Melbourne, FL earns a median $146,449/year (≈ $70.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Melbourne's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $145,287 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Melbourne, FL is projected to reach a median of $146,449, reflecting a robust compensation landscape that slightly outpaces the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in the region varies significantly, with the lowest earners making $84,941 and the top earners bringing in as much as $212,834. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate that the Melbourne market may be benefiting from shifts in practice models, particularly the OD/MD surgical co-management approach, which can provide additional revenue opportunities. As a result, the job market for optometry in Melbourne is characterized by competitive salaries for skilled professionals.
About the Melbourne Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,941 | $40.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,281 | $55.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,449 | $70.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,329 | $84.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,834 | $102.32 |
Median Salary Position
4.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Melbourne
In Melbourne, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,893 (2026 est.). At $146,449, the local median is 4.15% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Melbourne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Melbourne Optometrist Pay Compares
Melbourne median: $146,449/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Melbourne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,822 | -9.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +4.15% more |
Optometrists in Melbourne, FL earn a median of $146,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 9.50% below the Florida state average of $161,822.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Melbourne has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Melbourne, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $146,449 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $145,287 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,034
2025 BLS Actual
$142,239
2026 Current Est.
$146,449
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,034 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,803 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,333 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,724 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,239 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,449 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,784 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Melbourne metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $120,034 (2019) to $142,239 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,784 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,750 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Melbourne 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) | $84,941 – $116,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,281 – $146,449 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,449 – $175,329 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,329 – $212,834 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Melbourne
The local employment scene for optometrists is relatively modest, with only 12 optometrists currently practicing in the Melbourne area. While the cost of living is slightly above the national average, as indicated by a CoL index of 100.8, the purchasing power remains solid given the median salary. Among employers, private practices tend to offer better compensation compared to retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision, particularly for those who can leverage the OD/MD model or have completed residency training in ocular disease. Factors influencing the wide salary range include practice ownership equity, involvement in surgical referral partnerships with ophthalmologists, and differing terms for employees in previously independently owned practices that have been acquired by private equity. To maximize earnings potential, optometrists in Melbourne should consider specialties such as glaucoma management or pursue positions in established ophthalmology practices, aligning with the ongoing expansion of optometric scope and services in the area.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Melbourne, FL in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Melbourne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Melbourne?
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Related Pages
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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 $142,239 for optometristsin the Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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