Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $96,298 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Sioux Falls, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $96,298 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 90.6 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $106,253 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,154) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, entry-level optometrists in Sioux Falls can expect their starting salaries to be around $96,298, noticeably below the city’s median salary of $128,154. This starting pay reflects the early career phase, where new graduates may see minimal gaps in earnings as they transition from their educational backgrounds toward full professional roles. Realistically, the first few years typically involve gradual salary advancement, as new optometrists build their skills and patient bases. Given the projected growth in the field, with a 2.96% annual increase, Sioux Falls represents a viable market for fresh graduates entering optometry right now, particularly as the demand for optometric services continues to rise in the community.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux Falls
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 Sioux Falls
Entry-level optometrists in Sioux Falls, SD typically start between $96,298 and $97,246 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $53,138 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,154 — 8.86% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in South Dakota of $140,000 represents just 145.38% of the starting optometrist pay ($96,298/year) in Sioux Falls. 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 Sioux Falls
- 1Research the Sioux Falls market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $96,298 to $97,246, 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 Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux Falls'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 Sioux Falls is $53,138 ( 55.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $96,298, experienced hygienists can earn up to $149,436.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,670
2025 BLS Actual
$93,530
2026 Current Est.
$96,298
2019–2027 Growth
+11.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,298 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,149 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux Falls, SD grew 5.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $88,670 in 2019 to $93,530 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $99,149. New graduates entering the Sioux Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls
Multiple employers in Sioux Falls actively seek out new grads, making the local job market somewhat favorable for recent optometry graduates. Retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks often hire newly licensed doctors to provide structured onboarding experiences. These positions typically offer a ramp-up period that helps build essential clinical skills in a community setting. Alternatively, doctors of optometry looking for roles in OD/MD practices may find that residency training boosts their employability and starting pay. Credentials such as an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited school, NBEO Parts I-III, and state licensure are standard prerequisites that can enhance new grad optometrist pay in SD. As the scope of practice expands to include treatments like glaucoma management and oral pharmaceutical agents, opportunities abound. During the first three years, graduates can anticipate steady salary increases as they establish themselves within the profession and adapt to evolving practice environments in a dynamic healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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