Optometrist Salary in Miami Gardens, FL: $159,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Miami Gardens, FL earns a median $159,991/year (≈ $76.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Miami Gardens's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $158,721 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 projected median annual salary for optometrists in Miami Gardens, Florida, stands at $159,991, reflecting the city's robust earnings potential relative to national averages. With the salary range spanning from $92,795 at the 10th percentile to $245,075 at the 90th percentile, the opportunities for optometrists here can vary significantly based on experience, practice setting, and additional roles. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional costs, highlight a favorable compensation landscape for eye care professionals engaged in surgical co-management and other advanced optometric practices, which are increasingly being recognized alongside ophthalmology for their profitability in the Miami Gardens job market.
About the Miami Gardens Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,795 | $44.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,921 | $61.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,991 | $76.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $198,145 | $95.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $245,075 | $117.83 |
Median Salary Position
13.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Miami Gardens
In Miami Gardens, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,280 (2026 est.). At $159,991, the local median is 13.78% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Miami Gardens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Miami Gardens Optometrist Pay Compares
Miami Gardens median: $159,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Miami Gardens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,770 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +13.78% more |
Optometrists in Miami Gardens, FL earn a median of $159,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.78% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.10% below the Florida state average of $161,770.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Miami Gardens has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Miami Gardens, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,991 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $158,721 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,133
2025 BLS Actual
$155,391
2026 Current Est.
$159,991
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Miami Gardens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,133 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,319 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,898 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,032 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,582 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,391 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,726 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Miami Gardens metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $131,133 (2019) to $155,391 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,726 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,593 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Miami Gardens 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) | $92,795 – $126,921 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,921 – $159,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,991 – $198,145 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $198,145 – $245,075 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Miami Gardens
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently 21 optometrists practicing in Miami Gardens. With a cost-of-living index just above the national average at 100.8, the relative expenses experienced by residents can impact the purchasing power of optometrists in the area. Employers, including retail optical chains, private practices, and ophthalmology groups, each bring differing compensation packages. Positions within OD/MD models, where optometrists collaborate closely with ophthalmologists and benefit from surgical referral revenue, tend to offer higher pay. Variations in salary largely stem from factors such as practice ownership equity, the specific business models adopted (e.g., private vs. retail), and the level of residency training in ocular disease. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Miami Gardens FL, building clinical expertise, exploring various practice settings, and possibly pursuing further accreditation or residency training can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Miami Gardens, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Miami Gardens?
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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 $155,391 for optometristsin the Miami Gardens 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 Miami Gardens 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