Optometrist salary in St. Cloud, MN
Optometrists in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn a median of $131,960 a year ($63.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $232,190 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 17% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $158,700. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $151,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in St. Cloud, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,570 | $46.91 |
| 25th percentile | $118,600 | $57.02 |
| Median | $131,960 | $63.44 |
| 75th percentile | $167,120 | $80.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $232,190 | $111.63 |
| Average (mean) | $151,000 | $72.59 |
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 | $10,996.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,498.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,075.38 |
| Weekly | $2,537.69 |
| Hourly | $63.44 |
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 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $132,690 | 40 |
| 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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Cloud, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $105,290 | $50.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,520 | $63.23 |
| Pharmacist | $147,530 | $70.93 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,480 | $48.31 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,660 | $47.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $391,660 | $188.30 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,650 | $63.78 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $249,300 | $119.86 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,040 | $40.88 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,950 | $45.17 |
| Dentists, General | $208,000 | $100.00 |
| Chiropractor | $76,260 | $36.67 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $81,620 | $39.24 |
| Pediatricians, General | $298,830 | $143.67 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Cloud, 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 St. Cloud, MN?
The median salary for optometrists in the St. Cloud, MN metro area is $131,960 a year, or $63.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $232,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in St. Cloud, MN?
The top 10% of optometrists in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn at least $232,190 a year. The top 25% earn $167,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in St. Cloud, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,570 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $118,600 or less.
How many optometrists work in St. Cloud, MN?
About 30 optometrists are employed in the St. Cloud, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.