Optometrist Salary in Puerto Rico: $136,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $136,721/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $182,295 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($132,790).
In 2026, the average median salary for optometrists in Puerto Rico is projected to be $136,721, slightly lower than the national median of $140,612, resulting in a 2.8% difference. San Juan, the only major city in Puerto Rico for optometrists, shows both the highest and lowest salaries at $136,721, indicating a lack of salary variation across the region. This consistency may be attributed to various factors, including the relatively small job market with only 220 employed optometrists. Licensing requirements in Puerto Rico align closely with national standards, with practitioners needing to pass national board exams and state-specific assessments. Optometrists in Puerto Rico enjoy a broad scope of practice, similar to those in other states, which supports the demand for eye care services amid an aging population and increasing awareness of eye health. The job market is projected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 2.96%, signaling a stable outlook for optometrists through 2026. This growth may stem from rising healthcare needs and the continued expansion of vision care services. Overall, while salaries in Puerto Rico slightly trail behind national figures, the market conditions reflect a steady demand for optometric professionals.
Puerto Rico Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $45,498 (lowest entry-level) to $309,137 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico optometrists earn 2.77% less than the national median ($-3,891/year difference).
Puerto Rico Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Puerto Rico range from $45,498 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $309,137 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $136,721. The Puerto Rico median is $3,891 below the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $65.73/hr. Approximately 220 optometrists are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,760
2025 BLS Actual
$132,790
2026 Current Est.
$136,721
2019–2027 Growth
+254.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 234.0% from $39,760 (2019) to $132,790 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $101,008 (254.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,498 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $136,721 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $309,137 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in Puerto Rico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Juan | $136,721 |
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
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How does Puerto Rico optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Puerto Rico?
How many optometrists are employed in Puerto Rico?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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