Optometrist Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $65.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in St. Cloud, MN runs $65.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,866 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,517 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For optometrists in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the median hourly pay is projected to be $65.32 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $67.60. This is significant for those considering part-time roles or per-diem work in various settings such as private optometry exam rooms and retail optical chains. With an hourly range extending from $48.30 for entry-level positions up to $114.93 for top earners, this compensation structure provides flexibility and varying earning potential. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that a career in optometry can offer stable pay, especially in environments like outpatient clinics and university teaching facilities where hourly work arrangements are common.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.30 | $386.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.71 | $469.66 |
| Median (P50) | $65.32 | $522.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.72 | $661.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114.93 | $919.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $65.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.32/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $135,861 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,381. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,612.71 | $11,322 | $135,861 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,567.63 | $6,793 | $81,517 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,045.09 | $4,529 | $54,344 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (St. Cloud) | $65.32 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $135,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.38% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.90% below the Minnesota state average of $138,497.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.32/hr = $81,517/year (purchasing power: $93,022).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,861/year (purchasing power: $155,036).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in St. Cloud grew 18.5% from $53.54/hr (2019) to $63.44/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in St. Cloud
Examining the financial landscape for part-time optometrists reveals intriguing earning potential; working a 24-hour week, one could still take home a substantial annual income. Per diem optometrists in St. Cloud, especially those filling in at retail chains, can earn between $500 and $800 per day, while fill-in roles at OD/MD practices may offer $700 to $1,200 daily. The differentiation in hourly rates is notable; private practices and retail chains tend to offer lower compensation compared to hospital systems. This could lead some practitioners to accept a reduced hourly pay for the healthcare benefits offered by traditional employers. When negotiating hourly rates, understanding the market dynamics in St. Cloud is essential. Factors such as scope of practice expansion in optometry, including glaucoma management and laser procedures, can influence both compensation and job opportunities, especially among residency-trained practitioners.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in St. Cloud. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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