Optometrist Salary in Duluth, MN: $139,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Duluth, MN earns a median $139,680/year (≈ $67.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $141,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Duluth, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $139,680, reflecting a slight decrease from the national median of $140,612. This local salary range spans from $81,014 at the 10th percentile to $201,767 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the significant income variation within the profession. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional price adjustments. The potential for increased earnings can often be attributed to surgical co-management arrangements with ophthalmologists, enhancing practice revenue and job satisfaction. Therefore, optometrists in Duluth find themselves in a market that values both specialized knowledge and collaborative care management.
About the Duluth Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,014 | $38.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,491 | $55.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,680 | $67.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,486 | $80.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,767 | $97.00 |
Median Salary Position
0.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,753 (2026 est.). At $139,680, the local median is 0.66% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Duluth Optometrist Pay Compares
Duluth median: $139,680/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $138,571 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.66% less |
Optometrists in Duluth, MN earn a median of $139,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.66% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% above the Minnesota state average of $138,571.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth 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.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $139,680 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,807 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,485
2025 BLS Actual
$135,664
2026 Current Est.
$139,680
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,267 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,475 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,757 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,084 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,664 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,814 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,485 (2019) to $135,664 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,814 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,329 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $81,014 – $115,491 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,491 – $139,680 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,680 – $166,486 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,486 – $201,767 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Duluth
The optometrist job market in Duluth features around 15 professionals actively employed, with a cost-of-living index of 98.5 suggesting that everyday expenses are slightly below the national average. This reality contributes to a favorable take-home purchasing power relative to income levels. Among the various employment settings, private optometry practices typically offer the highest compensation, especially those operating under the OD/MD model, which allows for additional revenue through surgical referrals. Factors leading to the salary spectrum include practice ownership equity, the allure of residency training in ocular disease, and how the evolving landscape has seen private practices shift towards private equity ownership, which often affects pay scales and employment terms. To maximize earning potential in the Duluth area, optometrists can focus on expanding their skill set in emerging areas like glaucoma and surgical co-management, while also considering opportunities in well-established private practices that prioritize patient care and comprehensive service offerings.
More salary data for Duluth, 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 $135,664 for optometristsin the Duluth 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 Duluth 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