Optometrist salary in North Dakota
Optometrists in North Dakota earn a median of $132,110 a year ($63.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,900 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $136,570. North Dakota ranks 32nd of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.33 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $132,080, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| 25th percentile | $109,990 | $52.88 |
| Median | $132,110 | $63.51 |
| 75th percentile | $151,970 | $73.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,900 | $86.01 |
| Average (mean) | $132,080 | $63.50 |
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 | $11,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,504.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,081.15 |
| Weekly | $2,540.58 |
| Hourly | $63.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $132,690 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,730 | $38.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,070 | $62.53 |
| Pharmacist | $142,040 | $68.29 |
| Physical Therapist | $85,330 | $41.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $454,550 | $218.53 |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,530 | $43.53 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,450 | $64.16 |
| Chiropractor | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,040 | $33.67 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,230 | $39.06 |
| Veterinarian | $102,180 | $49.13 |
| Dentists, General | $220,660 | $106.09 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for optometrists in North Dakota is $132,110 a year, or $63.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of optometrists in North Dakota earn at least $178,900 a year. The top 25% earn $151,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,610 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $109,990 or less.
How many optometrists work in North Dakota?
About 140 optometrists are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.