Optometrist Salary in Bloomington, MN: $161,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bloomington, MN earns a median $161,605/year (≈ $77.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $164,066 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.7% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bloomington, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 stands at $161,605, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $140,612. This substantial figure encompasses a salary range from $93,731 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $237,316 at the higher end (90th percentile), illustrating the diverse employment landscape in the area. The choice of practice model—whether serving in a private practice, a retail optical chain, or a multi-disciplinary ophthalmology setting—significantly influences compensation levels. Professionals who hold equity in their practices or who operate alongside ophthalmologists in an OD/MD model typically enjoy higher earnings against those employed by retail chains, making practice ownership and strategic positioning key considerations in navigating optometrist pay in Bloomington.
About the Bloomington Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,731 | $45.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,562 | $60.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,605 | $77.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,319 | $93.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $237,316 | $114.09 |
Median Salary Position
14.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, MN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $143,585 (2026 est.). At $161,605, the local median is 14.93% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Optometrist Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $161,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $138,479 | +16.70% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +14.93% more |
Optometrists in Bloomington, MN earn a median of $161,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.93% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 16.70% above the Minnesota state average of $138,479.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $161,605 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $164,066 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,456
2025 BLS Actual
$156,959
2026 Current Est.
$161,605
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,456 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,674 | Actual |
| 2021 | $142,857 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,546 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,186 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,959 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,388 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $132,456 (2019) to $156,959 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,388 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,932 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $93,731 – $126,562 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,562 – $161,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,605 – $195,319 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,319 – $237,316 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bloomington
The job market in Bloomington hosts around 18 optometrists, revealing a focused yet stable employment landscape. While the cost of living index is slightly below the national average at 98.5, it provides a favorable environment for take-home purchasing power compared to larger urban centers. The highest pay often comes from private practices offering equity stakes and surgical referral revenues, a contrast to retail chains like LensCrafters or Visionworks, which tend to offer more predictable hourly wages. Factors contributing to the broad range of salaries include practice ownership, additional residency training for ocular disease, and the specific terms from those formerly independent practices now under private equity management. For those considering potential earnings, aligning with private practices or pursuing advanced training through residency programs can significantly enhance overall compensation in this competitive market.
More salary data for Bloomington, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $156,959 for optometristsin the Bloomington metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bloomington 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