Optometrist Hourly Pay in Bismarck, ND: $59.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Bismarck, ND runs $59.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,685 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Bismarck's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,809 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bismarck, North Dakota, the estimated optometrist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $59.94, which reflects a distinct gap compared to the national median of $67.60. This rate is appealing for both full-time and part-time optometrists. For a part-time worker engaged just three days a week, that translates to a crucial income potential, allowing for practical living arrangements while accommodating personal schedules. The hourly range for optometrists in this locality varies widely, from $51.01 for entry-level positions to $104.24 for the top earners, reflecting the diverse settings in which these professionals operate, including private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, VA outpatient eye clinics, and university teaching clinics. These figures are sourced from the BLS based on 2025 data, projected to 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.01 | $408.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.36 | $426.91 |
| Median (P50) | $59.94 | $479.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.82 | $662.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.24 | $833.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bismarck
Based on $59.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.94/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bismarck, ND can expect to earn approximately $124,682 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,932. With a cost-of-living index of 91.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bismarck.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bismarck
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,397.73 | $10,390 | $124,682 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,438.64 | $6,234 | $74,809 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $959.09 | $4,156 | $49,873 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Bismarck) | $59.94 |
| 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 Bismarck, ND earn a median of $124,685 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.33% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.60% below the North Dakota state average of $129,341.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.94/hr = $74,809/year (purchasing power: $82,186).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,682/year (purchasing power: $136,977).
CoL index: 91.024 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Bismarck grew 18.5% from $49.13/hr (2019) to $58.22/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.72/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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck
Part-time optometrists seeking a flexible work-life balance may find their annual earnings attractive, especially when working a 24-hour week, allowing them to take home a lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem optometrists can significantly enhance their earnings, charging between $500 to $800 per day at retail chains, with agency fill-ins and residency-trained ocular disease ODs in hospital systems garnering between $90 to $130 per hour. However, the variation in hourly rates across employment types in Bismarck can be notable; those in solo and group practices may earn less in exchange for health benefits, while retail chains express the drive for lower hourly costs. Optometrists should approach employment negotiations with a clear understanding of how hourly pay aligns with their overall quality of life and professional goals, leveraging market data to seek competitive compensation while balancing their need for benefits.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Bismarck in 2026?
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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 Bismarck. 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, 4-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