HealthcareUpdated Q1 2025No state income tax

Optometrist Salary
in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Examine eyes for vision problems and disease, prescribing corrective lenses and treatment. Median salary in Fort Lauderdale: $145K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$145K
per year
Take-home: $102K

Salary range in Fort Lauderdale

Entry level (25th)$118,000
Median (50th)$145,000
Senior (75th)$176,000
Top earner (90th)$221,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Key facts for Fort Lauderdale

Median salary
$145K
annual
Take-home pay
$102K
after fed/state tax
COL index
118
100 = US avg
State income tax
None
Texas advantage!
Avg 1BR rent
$2,100
per month
YoY growth
+2.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Fort Lauderdale Optometrist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $145K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Fort Lauderdale

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Optometrist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$121K$132K$143K$153K$164K201920212023202520272029
2026
$149K
projected
2027
$152K
projected
2028
$156K
projected
2029
$160K
projected
2030
$164K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$145,000+$0
2028 projected$145,000+$0
2029 projected$145,000+$0
2030 projected$145,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Optometrist Salary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Optometrist salary in Fort Lauderdale, FL is $145,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Fort Lauderdale–FL metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Optometrist in Fort Lauderdale

Entry-level Optometrists in Fort Lauderdale with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $118,000 and $145,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $145,000 to $176,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $176,000 to $221,000 or more.

Cost of living in Fort Lauderdale for Optometrists

Fort Lauderdale has a cost of living index of 118 compared to the US national average of 100. Fort Lauderdale's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Crucially, Florida has no state income tax — giving Fort Lauderdale-based Optometrists an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).

Education requirements for Optometrist

Doctor of Optometry (OD); state licensure. 5% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Optometrist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Fort Lauderdale (current)$145K118
Jacksonville93
Miami123
Tampa102
Orlando100
St. Petersburg105