Optometrist Salary in Port St. Lucie, FL: $168,105 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Port St. Lucie, FL earns a median $168,105/year (≈ $80.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Port St. Lucie's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $166,771 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Port St. Lucie, Florida, can expect a median annual salary of $168,105, significantly surpassing the national median of $140,612 by 19.55%. The local salary range stretches from $97,501 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $260,563 at the 90th percentile (P90), reflecting a diverse marketplace influenced by the state's expanding scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, oral medication prescriptions, and certain laser procedures. These salary figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the competitive environment for eye care professionals in the region, making Port St. Lucie an attractive locale for aspiring optometrists.
About the Port St. Lucie Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,501 | $46.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,439 | $61.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,105 | $80.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $203,396 | $97.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $260,563 | $125.27 |
Median Salary Position
19.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port St. Lucie
In Port St. Lucie, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $163,062 (2026 est.). At $168,105, the local median is 19.55% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port St. Lucie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Port St. Lucie Optometrist Pay Compares
Port St. Lucie median: $168,105/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port St. Lucie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,795 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +19.55% more |
Optometrists in Port St. Lucie, FL earn a median of $168,105 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.55% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.90% above the Florida state average of $161,795.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port St. Lucie has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Port St. Lucie, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,105 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $166,771 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$137,784
2025 BLS Actual
$163,272
2026 Current Est.
$168,105
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Port St. Lucie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,784 | Actual |
| 2020 | $141,131 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,272 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,105 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,081 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port St. Lucie metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $137,784 (2019) to $163,272 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $173,081 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,297 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port St. Lucie 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) | $97,501 – $127,439 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,439 – $168,105 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,105 – $203,396 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $203,396 – $260,563 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Port St. Lucie
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently 35 optometrists employed within Port St. Lucie, creating a tight-knit professional community. The area's moderate cost of living, indicated by a 100.8 index, enhances the purchasing power of optometrists, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle. Notably, employers such as private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains. Factors contributing to the wide salary range include practice ownership opportunities, collaborative arrangements with ophthalmologists, and differences in credentials such as residency training in ocular disease, which are highly valued. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Port St. Lucie, exploring opportunities for residency training, considering roles that integrate surgical collaboration, and staying informed about potential acquisitions of private practices by larger entities can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Port St. Lucie, 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 $163,272 for optometristsin the Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie 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