Optometrist salary in South Dakota
Optometrists in South Dakota earn a median of $102,320 a year ($49.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $90,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,920 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $136,570. South Dakota ranks 50th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.41 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $118,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,560 | $43.54 |
| 25th percentile | $94,350 | $45.36 |
| Median | $102,320 | $49.19 |
| 75th percentile | $133,200 | $64.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,920 | $84.09 |
| Average (mean) | $118,060 | $56.76 |
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 | $8,526.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,263.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,935.38 |
| Weekly | $1,967.69 |
| Hourly | $49.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Pharmacist | $146,790 | $70.57 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,840 | $61.94 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,200 | $64.04 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,210 | $44.33 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,970 | $115.37 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $263,930 | $126.89 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Veterinarian | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Chiropractor | $76,210 | $36.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Dakota?
The median salary for optometrists in South Dakota is $102,320 a year, or $49.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $90,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of optometrists in South Dakota earn at least $174,920 a year. The top 25% earn $133,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $90,560 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $94,350 or less.
How many optometrists work in South Dakota?
About 190 optometrists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.