Optometrist salary in Bismarck, ND
Optometrists in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median of $121,100 a year ($58.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,580 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 8% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $132,110. There are 0.45 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $138,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Bismarck, ND
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,050 | $49.54 |
| 25th percentile | $107,810 | $51.83 |
| Median | $121,100 | $58.22 |
| 75th percentile | $167,310 | $80.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,580 | $101.24 |
| Average (mean) | $138,740 | $66.70 |
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 | $10,091.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,045.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,657.69 |
| Weekly | $2,328.85 |
| Hourly | $58.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $132,690 | 40 |
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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,120 | $39.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,140 | $62.57 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,280 | $40.04 |
| Pharmacist | $143,380 | $68.93 |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,600 | $44.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,080 | $39.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| Physicians, All Other | $454,550 | $218.53 |
| Chiropractor | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,650 | $62.33 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $286,840 | $137.90 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $351,580 | $169.03 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,570 | $40.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Bismarck, ND
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 Bismarck, ND?
The median salary for optometrists in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $121,100 a year, or $58.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Bismarck, ND?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn at least $210,580 a year. The top 25% earn $167,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Bismarck, ND?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,050 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $107,810 or less.
How many optometrists work in Bismarck, ND?
About 30 optometrists are employed in the Bismarck, ND metro area, not counting the self-employed.