Optometrist Salary in Brooklyn Center, MN: $135,718 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Brooklyn Center, MN earns a median $135,718/year (≈ $65.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Brooklyn Center's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $137,785 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brooklyn Center, MN, the optometrist salary landscape is shaped by practice ownership types among local professionals. The 2026 median annual salary for optometrists is projected at $135,718, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612. Salary estimates reveal a broad range, with compensation starting as low as $78,716 for the bottom 10% and going up to $200,757 for the top 90%. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, offering a snapshot of how practice formats—be it private practices, retail chains, or ophthalmology partnerships—affect earning potential in this market. With just seven employed optometrists in Brooklyn Center, the dynamics of supply and demand can further shape opportunities within the field.
About the Brooklyn Center Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,716 | $37.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,283 | $51.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,718 | $65.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,164 | $76.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,757 | $96.51 |
Median Salary Position
3.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brooklyn Center
In Brooklyn Center, MN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,041 (2026 est.). At $135,718, the local median is 3.48% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brooklyn Center: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brooklyn Center Optometrist Pay Compares
Brooklyn Center median: $135,718/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brooklyn Center Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $138,488 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.48% less |
Optometrists in Brooklyn Center, MN earn a median of $135,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.48% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $138,488.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brooklyn Center 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.
Brooklyn Center, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,718 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,785 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,238
2025 BLS Actual
$131,816
2026 Current Est.
$135,718
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Brooklyn Center (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,238 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,941 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,973 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,218 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,197 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,816 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,718 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,735 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brooklyn Center metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,238 (2019) to $131,816 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,735 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,497 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brooklyn Center 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) | $78,716 – $107,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,283 – $135,718 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,718 – $158,164 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,164 – $200,757 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Brooklyn Center
Analyzing the job market context, the cost of living index in Brooklyn Center is set at 98.5, indicating that local salaries stretch further than those in pricier markets. This factor plays a significant role in determining take-home pay and purchasing power for optometrists in the area. In terms of pay, optometrists affiliated with private practices may have an edge due to potential equity ownership and client referrals, while those in retail settings generally earn less. The sizeable salary variation can often stem from differences in practice structure, residency training, and experience in managing specific patient populations. To maximize pay in Brooklyn Center, pursuing advanced certifications or residencies—especially in ocular disease management—can help elevate one’s standing, especially as optometrists gain expanded scopes in areas like glaucoma care and minor surgical procedures.
More salary data for Brooklyn Center, 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 $131,816 for optometristsin the Brooklyn Center 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 Brooklyn Center 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