Optometrist Salary in Sarasota, FL: $169,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Sarasota, FL earns a median $169,991/year (≈ $81.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Sarasota's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $168,642 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sarasota, the 2026 median annual salary for optometrists is projected to be $169,991, reflecting a competitive compensation structure compared to the national median of $140,612, which demonstrates a positive market environment for optometry professionals in the area. The local salary range spans from $98,594 at the 10th percentile to $244,246 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant variations based on practice ownership models, such as independent practices versus employed associates or retail chains. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, revised for regional price variations, indicating that choices in practice structure could influence earnings substantially within Sarasota's optometry market.
About the Sarasota Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,594 | $47.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,292 | $64.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,991 | $81.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,831 | $97.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $244,246 | $117.43 |
Median Salary Position
20.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sarasota
In Sarasota, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $145,652 (2026 est.). At $169,991, the local median is 20.89% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sarasota: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sarasota Optometrist Pay Compares
Sarasota median: $169,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sarasota Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,742 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +20.89% more |
Optometrists in Sarasota, FL earn a median of $169,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.89% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 5.10% above the Florida state average of $161,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sarasota has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sarasota, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $169,991 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $168,642 — 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
$139,330
2025 BLS Actual
$165,104
2026 Current Est.
$169,991
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sarasota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,715 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,104 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,023 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sarasota metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $139,330 (2019) to $165,104 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,693 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sarasota 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) | $98,594 – $133,292 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,292 – $169,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,991 – $201,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,831 – $244,246 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Sarasota
The local job market for optometrists shows promise, with ten optometrists currently employed in Sarasota, indicative of a growing demand within the community. The cost of living index is slightly above the national average at 100.8, meaning that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power must be considered when evaluating take-home pay. Among local employers, private optometry practices tend to offer the highest compensation, especially for those with ownership equity or those operating in an OD/MD model, which allows for additional revenue sharing from surgical referrals. Variances in salary stem from factors such as residency training, especially in ocular disease or pathways through the VA, and terms for new hires in practices that have recently transitioned to private equity ownership. To maximize pay in Sarasota, professionals should focus on gaining specialization through residency programs and consider opportunities that emphasize practice ownership or hybrid clinical models, which often yield better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Sarasota, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Sarasota, FL in 2026?
Is Sarasota, FL a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Sarasota?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Sarasota?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Sarasota?
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 $165,104 for optometristsin the Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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