Optometrist Salary in Ocala, FL: $157,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Ocala, FL earns a median $157,405/year (≈ $75.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Ocala's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.2), that paycheck buys what $165,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in Ocala, Florida is set at $157,405. This figure represents a competitive advantage over the national median, which stands at $140,612, highlighting a positive trend for optometrists looking to practice in this region. Salary ranges from the 10th percentile at $98,018 to the 90th percentile at $197,199 indicate a diverse market influenced by various practice models. Many optometrists in Ocala choose between ownership of private practices, employment as associates, or positions within retail chains, each pathway significantly impacting earnings. The official BLS OEWS data points suggest that the job market for optometrists in Ocala maintains a healthy demand, influencing salary negotiations in this market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,018 | $47.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,964 | $63.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $157,405 | $75.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,872 | $82.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,199 | $94.81 |
Median Salary Position
11.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ocala
In Ocala, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,181 (2026 est.). At $157,405, the local median is 11.94% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Ocala: You'd be above the median
How Ocala Optometrist Pay Compares
Ocala median: $157,405/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ocala Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,773 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +11.94% more |
Optometrists in Ocala, FL earn a median of $157,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.94% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.70% below the Florida state average of $161,773.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ocala has a cost of living 4.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ocala, FL has a cost-of-living index of 95.234 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $157,405 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $165,282 in an average-cost city — an effective 5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,014
2025 BLS Actual
$152,880
2026 Current Est.
$157,405
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Ocala (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,014 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,148 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,145 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,608 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $157,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,064 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ocala metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $129,014 (2019) to $152,880 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,064 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,050 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ocala 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) | $98,018 – $131,964 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,964 – $157,405 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $157,405 – $170,872 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,872 – $197,199 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Ocala
After examining the local job market, it is notable that Ocala has around 40 optometrists currently employed, indicating a stable yet competitive field. The cost of living in Ocala, with a lower index of 95.234 compared to the national average, can amplify purchasing power, making even modest salaries stretch further. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically offer higher compensation than retail chains like Walmart Vision or LensCrafters, especially for those integrating surgical referrals or who are fellowship-trained in ocular disease. Factors contributing to salary discrepancies include practice ownership equity, collaboration with ophthalmologists, and various post-acquisition employment contracts with private equity-backed practices. To optimize earnings, optometrists can focus on gaining residency training, considering the lucrative opportunities that arise from specialized skills and expanding their scope of practice in growing fields such as glaucoma management and minor surgical procedures. These strategic career decisions can enhance one's position within the Ocala market.
More salary data for Ocala, 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 $152,880 for optometristsin the Ocala 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, 3-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