Optometrist Salary

Orlando vs Winter Garden: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Orlando, FL and Winter Garden, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Orlando, FL
$164,829
$79.25/hr
Winter Garden, FL
$156,052
$75.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLWinter Garden, FL
Median Salary$164,829$156,052
Hourly Rate$79.25$75.03
Entry Level (P10)$88,154$93,767
25th Percentile$129,256$129,853
75th Percentile$168,010$187,926
Top Earner (P90)$199,434$226,429
Total Employed29010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($164,829) and Winter Garden ($156,052) optometrist salaries.OrlandoWinter GardenMedian Salary$164,829$156,052Entry Level (P10)$88,154$93,767Top Earner (P90)$199,434$226,429US Median $140,612

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Winter Garden.

The salary gap between Orlando and Winter Garden is $8,777 (5.62%). Orlando's median is +17.22% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orlando spans $111,280,Winter Garden spans $132,662. Winter Garden has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$88,154
P25$129,256
Median$164,829
P75$168,010
P90 (Top)$199,434
Winter Garden
P10 (Entry)$93,767
P25$129,853
Median$156,052
P75$187,926
P90 (Top)$226,429

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($162,524 effective) pays 4.98% more than Winter Garden ($154,813 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $164,829
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $162,524
Winter Garden
Nominal: $156,052
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $154,813

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($164,829/year)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $162,524)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Winter Garden if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($226,429)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Orlando grew 36.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.9% growth in Winter Garden over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+36.2%

$117,570 (2019) → $160,090 (2025)

Winter Garden, FL

+19.9%

$126,392 (2024) → $151,566 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Orlando or Winter Garden?

Orlando has a higher median optometrist salary at $164,829/year, compared to Winter Garden at $156,052/year — a difference of $8,777 (5.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and Winter Garden?

Orlando optometrists earn $79.25/hr while Winter Garden hygienists earn $75.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to Winter Garden as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and Winter Garden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $162,524, Winter Garden = $154,813), job availability (290 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Orlando vs Winter Garden?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $88,154 in Orlando and $93,767 in Winter Garden. The Winter Garden area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov