North Dakota Median
$132,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$63.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $136,570
State Rank
#32 of 51
140 employed here
How much does an Optometrist make in North Dakota?
Optometrists in North Dakota take home a median of $132,110 annually — roughly $63.51 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $136,570.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $74,610 while the top 10% make $178,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,990 and $151,970 a year.
Optometrist salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,610 | $35.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $109,990 | $52.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $132,110 | $63.51 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $151,970 | $73.06 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,900 | $86.01 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 32nd 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 $159,040Minnesota $158,700Washington $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 $133,810Oregon $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 North Dakota
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 North Dakota pay ($132,110) 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 North Dakota?
The median Optometrist salary in North Dakota is $132,110 per year, or about $63.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,610 at the entry level to $178,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Optometrists about 3% less than the national median of $136,570. North Dakota ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Optometrists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $132,110 a year. About 140 Optometrists are employed in North Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Optometrist salary report
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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.