Optometrist Salary in Burnsville, MN: $136,586 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Burnsville, MN earns a median $136,586/year (≈ $65.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Burnsville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $138,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Burnsville, Minnesota is projected to reach a median of $136,586, reflecting a competitive position in the local job market. The salary range varies significantly, from $79,993 for the lowest earners to $204,444 for those at the top of the scale. These figures, derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, account for regional price adjustments that can impact overall compensation. Moreover, the city's distinct employment landscape provides opportunities for optometrists to engage in surgical co-management, especially within the OD/MD model, enhancing revenue potential and job satisfaction.
About the Burnsville Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,993 | $38.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,225 | $53.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,586 | $65.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,506 | $80.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,444 | $98.29 |
Median Salary Position
2.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burnsville
In Burnsville, MN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,451 (2026 est.). At $136,586, the local median is 2.86% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burnsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burnsville Optometrist Pay Compares
Burnsville median: $136,586/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burnsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $138,525 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.86% less |
Optometrists in Burnsville, MN earn a median of $136,586 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.86% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% below the Minnesota state average of $138,525.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burnsville 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.
Burnsville, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,586 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,666 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,950
2025 BLS Actual
$132,659
2026 Current Est.
$136,586
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Burnsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,669 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,084 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,049 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,659 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,586 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,629 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burnsville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,950 (2019) to $132,659 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,629 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,679 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burnsville 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) | $79,993 – $112,225 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,225 – $136,586 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,586 – $167,506 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,506 – $204,444 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Burnsville
The job market for optometrists in Burnsville is anchored by a workforce of nine practicing optometrists, suggesting a relatively small but stable community. With a cost of living index at 98.5, residents find that their earnings stretch further, allowing for improved take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices and medical centers typically offer higher pay, particularly those implementing the OD/MD model, which may facilitate additional income through surgical referrals. Additionally, factors such as practice ownership equity, residency training in ocular disease, and the employment frameworks of private practices transitioning to private equity affect the compensation spread. To maximize pay in Burnsville, aspiring optometrists should consider pursuing postdoctoral residencies and fostering collaborative relationships with local ophthalmology practices.
More salary data for Burnsville, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Burnsville?
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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 $132,659 for optometristsin the Burnsville 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 Burnsville 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