Minnesota Median
$158,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$76.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $136,570
State Rank
#7 of 51
710 employed here
How much does an Optometrist make in Minnesota?
An Optometrist working in Minnesota earns a median salary of $158,700 per year, or about $76.30 per hour. That is 16% above the national median of $136,570 for this occupation.
Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $96,670 while the top 10% make $206,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $125,860 and $174,370 a year.
Optometrist salary range in Minnesota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,670 | $46.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $125,860 | $60.51 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $158,700 | $76.30 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $174,370 | $83.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $206,960 | $99.50 |
|
How Minnesota compares
Minnesota ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories for Optometrist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Optometrist salary in other states
Alaska $170,310Maryland $165,840North Carolina $161,560Delaware $161,270New York $161,140New Jersey $159,040Washington $157,560Hawaii $154,620Maine $154,110Colorado $152,000Massachusetts $151,730Florida $151,670Connecticut $150,340South Carolina $145,950Illinois $145,620Alabama $145,090New Mexico $144,660Wisconsin $139,720Kansas $138,580Vermont $137,290California $136,300Michigan $135,650Nevada $135,650Indiana $135,500Pennsylvania $135,400Ohio $134,850District of Columbia $134,840Rhode Island $134,520Tennessee $134,170Missouri $133,810North Dakota $132,110Oregon $132,020Virginia $131,570Kentucky $128,860Georgia $128,830Texas $126,000New Hampshire $125,560Iowa $125,380Nebraska $125,040Arkansas $124,470Arizona $122,250Utah $119,070Louisiana $118,060West Virginia $118,010Wyoming $111,400Mississippi $108,070Montana $104,280Idaho $103,390South Dakota $102,320Oklahoma $97,350
Working as an Optometrist in Minnesota
Nationally, about 43,000 people work as Optometrists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Minnesota pay ($158,700) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Optometrist make in Minnesota?
The median Optometrist salary in Minnesota is $158,700 per year, or about $76.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $96,670 at the entry level to $206,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Optometrists about 16% more than the national median of $136,570. Minnesota ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Optometrists?
Yes on pay — Minnesota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $158,700 a year. About 710 Optometrists are employed in Minnesota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Optometrist salary report
Related salaries
$100,040
median pay · 4,000 employed
$160,300
median pay · 10,000 employed
$95,780
median pay · 14,000 employed
$97,870
median pay · 183,000 employed
$170,950
median pay · 124,000 employed
$100,330
median pay · 162,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.