Optometrist Salary in Florence, AL: $119,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Florence, AL earns a median $119,579/year (≈ $57.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Florence's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $136,040 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median optometrist salary in Florence, Alabama, is set at $119,579, offering a competitive landscape for eye care professionals in the region. The salary range spans from $72,451 at the tenth percentile to $174,211 at the ninetieth percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, indicating that while earnings may appear lower than the national average of $140,612, the local market maintains resilient opportunities. The scope of practice for optometrists in Alabama includes management of glaucoma, prescription of oral medications, and performance of select laser procedures, diversifying the roles available to ODs and contributing to the dynamism of the market in Florence.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,451 | $34.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,945 | $48.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,579 | $57.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,432 | $69.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,211 | $83.76 |
Median Salary Position
14.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, AL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,760 (2026 est.). At $119,579, the local median is 14.96% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Florence Optometrist Pay Compares
Florence median: $119,579/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $123,660 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -14.96% less |
Optometrists in Florence, AL earn a median of $119,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.96% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.30% below the Alabama state average of $123,660.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $119,579 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,040 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,010
2025 BLS Actual
$116,141
2026 Current Est.
$119,579
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,391 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,706 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,803 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,136 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,349 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,141 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,118 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $98,010 (2019) to $116,141 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,118 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,108 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $72,451 – $99,945 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,945 – $119,579 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,579 – $144,432 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,432 – $174,211 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Florence
With only six optometrists currently employed in Florence, the local job market remains relatively small, yet promising in terms of growth potential, projected to increase by 2.96% annually. The cost of living index in the area stands at 87.9, which suggests that residents can enjoy a decent standard of living with their salaries, equating to increased purchasing power when compared to national rates. Among the employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology practices tend to offer the highest pay, particularly those that incorporate an OD/MD model, which allows for additional revenue through surgical referrals. To enhance their earnings, optometrists in Florence should consider pursuing residency training, especially in ocular disease, as well as seeking positions in practices with strong referral networks and clear ownership opportunities that can lead to increased equity and compensation.
More salary data for Florence, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $116,141 for optometristsin the Florence 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 Florence 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