Optometrist Salary in Miami, FL: $129,246 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Miami, FL earns a median $129,246/year (≈ $62.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Miami's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 114.2), that paycheck buys what $113,220 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.1% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For optometrists in Miami, the prospective compensation landscape for 2026 is characterized by a median annual salary of $129,246, which reflects an 8.08% decrease when compared to the projected national median of $140,612. This figure is drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlights a wide salary range from $60,139 at the 10th percentile to $200,463 at the 90th percentile. In Miami's competitive market, optometrists engaged in the OD/MD surgical co-management model may enhance their earnings through shared revenue opportunities, setting them apart from their peers. The salary data indicates that maintaining strong relationships with ophthalmology practices can not only improve income potential but also ensure a continuous flow of patients seeking comprehensive eye care solutions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,139 | $28.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,264 | $51.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,246 | $62.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,401 | $84.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,463 | $96.38 |
Median Salary Position
8.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Miami
In Miami, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,324 (2026 est.). At $129,246, the local median is 8.08% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Miami: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Miami Optometrist Pay Compares
Miami median: $129,246/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Miami Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,759 | -20.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.08% less |
Optometrists in Miami, FL earn a median of $129,246 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.08% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 20.10% below the Florida state average of $161,759.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Miami has a cost of living 14.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Miami, FL has a cost-of-living index of 114.155 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,246 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $113,220 — a 12.4% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,730
2025 BLS Actual
$125,530
2026 Current Est.
$129,246
2019–2027 Growth
+88.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Miami (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,246 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,071 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Miami metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 77.5% from $70,730 (2019) to $125,530 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,071 by 2027 — a total increase of $62,341 (88.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Miami 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) | $60,139 – $107,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,264 – $129,246 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,246 – $176,401 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,401 – $200,463 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Miami
With approximately 820 optometrists working in the Miami area, the job market remains vibrant but slightly overshadowed by the cost of living index, which stands at 114.155, indicating a higher-than-average expense for residents. This economic climate can influence take-home pay, pushing practitioners to consider employment opportunities with higher compensation prospects. Among local employers, private optometry practices often yield greater pay compared to retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision, primarily due to the equity ownership in the practice and the benefits from advanced training such as ocular disease residencies. For those in Miami looking to maximize their earnings, developing skills that expand the scope of practice—such as managing glaucoma or utilizing laser procedures—coupled with strategic collaborations in practice ownership could offer pathways to increased compensation in this evolving field.
More salary data for Miami, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Miami?
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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 $125,530 for optometristsin the Miami 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