Optometrist salary in Florida
Optometrists in Florida earn a median of $151,670 a year ($72.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,210 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $136,570. Florida ranks 13th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.24 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $143,020, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Florida
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| 25th percentile | $122,730 | $59.00 |
| Median | $151,670 | $72.92 |
| 75th percentile | $167,270 | $80.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,210 | $94.33 |
| Average (mean) | $143,020 | $68.76 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,639.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,319.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,833.46 |
| Weekly | $2,916.73 |
| Hourly | $72.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Florida
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $162,690 | 80 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $161,560 | 150 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $161,540 | 80 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $160,090 | 290 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $157,970 | 50 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $157,140 | 120 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $154,050 | 70 |
| Ocala, FL | $152,880 | 40 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $139,030 | 60 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $138,130 | 350 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $125,530 | 820 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
Related jobs in Florida
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,190 | $40.48 |
| Physicians, All Other | $262,180 | $126.05 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,510 | $62.26 |
| Pharmacist | $135,970 | $65.37 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,040 | $48.58 |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,980 | $44.22 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,360 | $47.77 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Dentists, General | $174,900 | $84.09 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,620 | $62.32 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,160 | $39.02 |
| Veterinarian | $131,660 | $63.30 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $210,570 | $101.24 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,050 | $36.56 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Florida
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Florida?
The median salary for optometrists in Florida is $151,670 a year, or $72.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Florida?
The top 10% of optometrists in Florida earn at least $196,210 a year. The top 25% earn $167,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Florida?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,490 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $122,730 or less.
How many optometrists work in Florida?
About 2,350 optometrists are employed in Florida, not counting the self-employed.