Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Pierre, SD: $71,105 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Pierre, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,105 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pierre's local price level (BEA RPP 92.8 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,622 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($122,596) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Those entering the field of optometry in Pierre, South Dakota, can expect their starting optometrist salary to range from $71,105 to $173,562 in 2026. New graduates should be aware that achieving the median annual salary of $122,596 can take time; given the entry-level range, there is a significant gap. Early-career optometrists may anticipate incremental salary increases over the first few years, transitioning from approximately $71,105 to around $104,406 as they gain experience and build their patient base. For recent graduates, Pierre presents a promising environment, with a blend of community need and relatively advantageous cost-of-living factors, making it a feasible option to kickstart an optometry career.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pierre
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
Entry-level optometrists in Pierre, SD typically start between $71,105 and $104,406 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $102,457 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $122,596 — 12.81% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in South Dakota of $140,000 represents just 196.89% of the starting optometrist pay ($71,105/year) in Pierre. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOE-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs. Public school OD programs offer lower in-state tuition, while private institutions carry higher out-of-pocket costs. Totals reflect tuition and fees for the 4-year professional program; clinical rotation travel and living costs add to the total cost of attendance.
OD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Pierre
- 1Research the Pierre market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $71,105 to $104,406, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the optometry field — employers in SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pierre, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Pierre for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pierre's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Optometrist Compensation Range
The optometrist wage spread in Pierre is $102,457 ( 144.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,105, experienced hygienists can earn up to $173,562.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,607
2025 BLS Actual
$69,061
2026 Current Est.
$71,105
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,607 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,037 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,811 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,328 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,938 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,061 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,105 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,210 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Pierre, SD grew 26.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,607 in 2019 to $69,061 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,210. New graduates entering the Pierre job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your optometry Career in Pierre
Retail chains like LensCrafters, Visionworks, and MyEyeDr primarily hire new graduate optometrists, offering structured training programs that help ease the transition into professional practice. Conversely, OD/MD practices generally recruit residency-trained optometrists, providing pathways for specialization such as ocular disease or pediatric optometry. Credentials like an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution, along with successful completion of NBEO Parts I-III and state licensing, are essential for new grads looking to maximize their earning potential. Additionally, pursuing a residency can provide competitive advantages, particularly in a market where patient management frequently encompasses expanded scopes of practice, including glaucoma and oral medications. Early in their careers, new optometrists should focus on developing their clinical skills while strategically positioning themselves within the workforce for realistic salary growth.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new optometry graduates. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Pierre. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pierre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov