Optometrist salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Optometrists in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $132,690 a year ($63.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $109,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,370 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is about the same as the North Dakota statewide median of $132,110. There are 0.25 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $109,990 | $52.88 |
| 25th percentile | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Median | $132,690 | $63.79 |
| 75th percentile | $151,820 | $72.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,370 | $81.91 |
| Average (mean) | $137,730 | $66.22 |
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 | $11,057.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,528.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,103.46 |
| Weekly | $2,551.73 |
| Hourly | $63.79 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $175,810 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $159,790 | 470 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $131,960 | 30 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $124,470 | 70 |
| Bismarck, ND | $121,100 | 30 |
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 Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,120 | $39.48 |
| Pharmacist | $142,040 | $68.29 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,070 | $62.53 |
| Physical Therapist | $85,330 | $41.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $418,980 | $201.43 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,390 | $40.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,610 | $65.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,870 | $39.36 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $76,640 | $36.85 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $241,620 | $116.16 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,480 | $40.62 |
| Chiropractor | $79,650 | $38.29 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,070 | $31.28 |
| Dentists, General | $198,570 | $95.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for optometrists in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $132,690 a year, or $63.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $109,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $170,370 a year. The top 25% earn $151,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $109,990 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $110,030 or less.
How many optometrists work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.