Optometrist Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $143,145 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $143,145/year (≈ $68.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $143,138 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the reported median annual salary for optometrists in Palm Bay, Florida, stands at $143,145, reflecting a slight increase compared to national expectations, which average $140,612. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $62,064 at the 10th percentile to $175,712 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The local job market provides diverse opportunities for optometrists, including practice ownership, associate roles, and employment within retail chains. With continuous growth anticipated in the field, those entering optometry in Palm Bay will find a competitive landscape shaped by salary structure and employment models.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,064 | $29.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,860 | $48.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,145 | $68.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,331 | $80.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,712 | $84.48 |
Median Salary Position
1.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,648 (2026 est.). At $143,145, the local median is 1.8% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be above the median
How Palm Bay Optometrist Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $143,145/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,746 | -11.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.80% more |
Optometrists in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $143,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.80% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 11.50% below the Florida state average of $161,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,145 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $143,138 — a 0% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,326
2025 BLS Actual
$139,030
2026 Current Est.
$143,145
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,326 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,176 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,145 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,382 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $117,326 (2019) to $139,030 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,382 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,056 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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) | $62,064 – $100,860 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,860 – $143,145 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,145 – $167,331 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,331 – $175,712 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Palm Bay
The local market has approximately 60 optometrists currently employed, which suggests a stable demand for eye care professionals in the area. Notably, the cost of living index for Palm Bay is 100.005, slightly above the national average, which may impact take-home pay for optometrists, making it crucial to consider overall compensation packages. Among various employers, private optometry practices tend to offer higher pay, especially those with an OD/MD model that allows optometrists to share in surgical referral revenues. Factors contributing to earnings disparities include practice ownership, advanced residency training, and the operational dynamics of retail optical chains versus private practices. To maximize earnings, aspiring optometrists should consider residency training, seek opportunities in higher-paying practices, and understand local market trends that sharpen their competitive edge within Palm Bay’s evolving healthcare atmosphere.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Palm Bay?
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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 $139,030 for optometristsin the Palm Bay 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, 5-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