Optometrist Hourly Pay in Grand Forks, ND: $62.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Grand Forks, ND runs $62.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,093 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Grand Forks's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,060 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Grand Forks will earn a median hourly pay of $62.55, notably lower than the national median of $67.60. This rate allows for a solid standard of living for those working in various settings, including private optometry offices, retail optical chains, and even university clinics. Part-time optometrists working three days a week can expect a comfortable income, with flexibility in scheduling that suits their lifestyle. The hourly pay for entry-level optometrists in Grand Forks starts around $36.27, while top-earning professionals can make up to $89.99 per hour, highlighting a robust potential for growth within the field and the varying responsibilities associated with different practice settings.
About the Grand Forks Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.27 | $290.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.11 | $392.90 |
| Median (P50) | $62.55 | $500.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.70 | $605.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.99 | $719.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Forks
Based on $62.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.55/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Forks, ND can expect to earn approximately $130,100 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,058. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Forks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Forks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,501.93 | $10,842 | $130,100 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,501.16 | $6,505 | $78,060 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,000.77 | $4,337 | $52,040 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Grand Forks) | $62.55 |
| 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 Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $130,093 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.48% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% above the North Dakota state average of $129,317.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.55/hr = $78,060/year (purchasing power: $84,848).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,100/year (purchasing power: $141,413).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Grand Forks grew 18.5% from $51.27/hr (2019) to $60.75/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.40/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 Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks
Considering part-time opportunities, an optometrist working a typical three-day week (24 hours) could potentially take home around $78,897 annually, while full-time colleagues might exceed $130,093. For those pursuing per diem work, the landscape shifts considerably; many optometrists can command daily rates ranging from $500 to $1,200, depending on the clinic or practice type. This pay structure varies significantly within Grand Forks, as retail chains commonly offer lower hourly rates compared to private practices or VA facilities, where the benefits may require a trade-off for higher compensation. Moreover, negotiating salaries in this region necessitates an understanding of employer-specific pay structures and the value of benefits versus hourly pay. Optometrists should leverage their training and experience while considering both immediate cash flow needs and longer-term career goals when entering discussions.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
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 Grand Forks. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Grand Forks 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