Optometrist Salary in Royal Palm Beach, FL: $159,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Royal Palm Beach, FL earns a median $159,618/year (≈ $76.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Royal Palm Beach's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $158,351 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an optometrist's earnings in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, are projected to reach a median annual salary of $159,618. This figure exceeds the national median of $140,612, highlighting the competitive pay in this region, which is further illustrated by a salary range of $92,579 at the 10th percentile to $228,803 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost variations. The local job market offers an appealing environment for optometrists, especially those skilled in the OD/MD model of surgical co-management, which can significantly enhance revenue through collaborative practices with ophthalmologists.
About the Royal Palm Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,579 | $44.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,514 | $61.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,618 | $76.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,514 | $91.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,803 | $110.00 |
Median Salary Position
13.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Royal Palm Beach
In Royal Palm Beach, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,224 (2026 est.). At $159,618, the local median is 13.52% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Royal Palm Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Royal Palm Beach Optometrist Pay Compares
Royal Palm Beach median: $159,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Royal Palm Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,720 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +13.52% more |
Optometrists in Royal Palm Beach, FL earn a median of $159,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.52% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.30% below the Florida state average of $161,720.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Royal Palm Beach has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Royal Palm Beach, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,618 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $158,351 — a 0.79% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$130,827
2025 BLS Actual
$155,029
2026 Current Est.
$159,618
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Royal Palm Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,827 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,006 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,101 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,565 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,682 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,029 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,343 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Royal Palm Beach metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $130,827 (2019) to $155,029 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,343 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,516 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Royal Palm Beach 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) | $92,579 – $127,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,514 – $159,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,618 – $190,514 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,514 – $228,803 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Royal Palm Beach
Currently, there are six practicing optometrists in Royal Palm Beach, reflecting a modest but stable local employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.8, the financial dynamics in this area contribute positively to take-home earnings. Employers such as private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics commonly provide higher salaries, especially for those with residency training in ocular disease or those engaged in the OD/MD model. Factors like practice ownership, the scope of practice expansion—including glaucoma management and minor surgical procedures—along with employment arrangements following private equity acquisitions, all play vital roles in determining compensation. Optometrists looking to maximize their pay in Royal Palm Beach should consider specializing in niches such as surgical co-management or acquiring additional certifications that align with evolving practice standards.
More salary data for Royal Palm Beach, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Royal Palm Beach, FL in 2026?
Is Royal Palm Beach, FL a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Royal Palm Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Royal Palm Beach?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Royal Palm Beach?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $155,029 for optometristsin the Royal Palm Beach 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 Royal Palm Beach 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