Optometrist Salary in Wellington, FL: $158,142 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Wellington, FL earns a median $158,142/year (≈ $76.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Wellington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $156,887 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Wellington, Florida, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $158,142, which is notably higher than the national median of $140,612. The salary range in this area spans from $91,723 at the lower end to $239,695 for those at the top of the scale. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities reflect a competitive job market, influenced by factors such as practice ownership structures. Optometrists may choose between owning their practice, working as associates, or aligning with retail chains. This decision significantly impacts earnings, shaping the income landscape for those practicing in Wellington.
About the Wellington Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,723 | $44.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,268 | $61.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,142 | $76.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,613 | $94.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,695 | $115.24 |
Median Salary Position
12.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wellington
In Wellington, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $147,972 (2026 est.). At $158,142, the local median is 12.47% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wellington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wellington Optometrist Pay Compares
Wellington median: $158,142/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wellington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,865 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +12.47% more |
Optometrists in Wellington, FL earn a median of $158,142 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.47% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.30% below the Florida state average of $161,865.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wellington has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wellington, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,142 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,887 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,618
2025 BLS Actual
$153,596
2026 Current Est.
$158,142
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Wellington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,618 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,767 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,796 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,247 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,299 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,085 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,596 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,142 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wellington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $129,618 (2019) to $153,596 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,205 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wellington 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) | $91,723 – $128,268 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,268 – $158,142 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,142 – $195,613 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,613 – $239,695 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Wellington
With only ten optometrists currently employed in Wellington, the local market has a unique dynamic influenced by the cost of living, which holds a slight premium at a 100.8 index. This means that while salaries are higher than the national average, the purchasing power may not be maximized without careful financial planning. Employers such as private optometry practices generally tend to offer higher compensation than retail chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision, particularly for those with residency training in ocular disease or who work within an OD/MD model. To secure higher pay, optometrists should consider pursuing specialized training and seeking positions that allow for practice ownership or partnership opportunities, as these often provide the greatest salary potential in Wellington, FL.
More salary data for Wellington, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Wellington, FL in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Wellington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Wellington?
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Related Pages
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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 $153,596 for optometristsin the Wellington 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 Wellington 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