Optometrist salary in Minnesota
Optometrists in Minnesota earn a median of $158,700 a year ($76.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,960 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $136,570. Minnesota ranks 7th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.24 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $151,450, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| 25th percentile | $125,860 | $60.51 |
| Median | $158,700 | $76.30 |
| 75th percentile | $174,370 | $83.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $206,960 | $99.50 |
| Average (mean) | $151,450 | $72.81 |
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 | $13,225 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,612.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,103.85 |
| Weekly | $3,051.92 |
| Hourly | $76.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $175,810 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $159,790 | 470 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $132,690 | 40 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $131,960 | 30 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $124,470 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,510 | $48.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,260 | $64.07 |
| Pharmacist | $159,740 | $76.80 |
| Physicians, All Other | $367,320 | $176.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,010 | $49.04 |
| Dental Hygienist | $103,970 | $49.99 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,050 | $44.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $141,190 | $67.88 |
| Dentists, General | $219,200 | $105.39 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $373,700 | $179.66 |
| Veterinarian | $133,110 | $64.00 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $266,190 | $127.98 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $280,030 | $134.63 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for optometrists in Minnesota is $158,700 a year, or $76.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of optometrists in Minnesota earn at least $206,960 a year. The top 25% earn $174,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,670 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $125,860 or less.
How many optometrists work in Minnesota?
About 710 optometrists are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.