Optometrist Salary in Largo, FL: $163,230 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Largo, FL earns a median $163,230/year (≈ $78.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Largo's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $161,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $163,230 for 2026, optometrists in Largo, Florida, enjoy a competitive pay scale compared to the national median of $140,612, representing a solid premium of 16.09%. The salary range reflects diverse practice settings, ranging from $94,673 at the 10th percentile to $235,497 at the 90th percentile, showing potential for significant financial success based on experience and practice choice. The local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost practices suggest that those engaging in ownership or specialized roles in ophthalmology practices may command higher wages, reinforcing the importance of structural choices in the job market. As the demand for eye care continues to grow, particularly with expanded scopes of practice, the opportunity for optometrists to enhance their income exists alongside employment risk associated with retail chains and salaried positions.
About the Largo Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,673 | $45.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,820 | $61.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,230 | $78.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,885 | $93.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $235,497 | $113.21 |
Median Salary Position
16.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Largo
In Largo, FL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,824 (2026 est.). At $163,230, the local median is 16.09% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Largo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Largo Optometrist Pay Compares
Largo median: $163,230/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Largo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $161,774 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +16.09% more |
Optometrists in Largo, FL earn a median of $163,230 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.09% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.90% above the Florida state average of $161,774.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Largo has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Largo, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,230 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $161,935 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$133,788
2025 BLS Actual
$158,537
2026 Current Est.
$163,230
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Largo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,038 | Actual |
| 2021 | $144,293 | Actual |
| 2022 | $145,791 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,069 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,205 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,537 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,230 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,061 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Largo metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $133,788 (2019) to $158,537 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $168,061 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,273 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Largo 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) | $94,673 – $128,820 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,820 – $163,230 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,230 – $194,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,885 – $235,497 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Largo
The local job market for optometrists in Largo comprises around 12 professionals, indicating a relatively small yet supportive community within the healthcare fabric of the area. With a cost-of-living index of 100.8, slightly above the national average, the take-home purchasing power for optometrists is enhanced, as their salaries can cover local expenses effectively. Among various employers, private optometry practices often provide the highest compensation opportunities, especially for those who have completed residencies in ocular disease or who work alongside ophthalmologists in OD/MD models. This variation in pay reflects the intricacies of the local market, where practice ownership, post-acquisition employment contracts, and the choice of working within retail chains or private settings greatly influence potential earnings. To maximize their salary in Largo, aspiring optometrists should consider pursuing advanced residency training, securing partnerships in private practices, and seeking positions that allow for expanding their clinical scope, ensuring they remain competitive in a dynamic field.
More salary data for Largo, FL:
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 $158,537 for optometristsin the Largo 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 Largo 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