Optometrist Salary in Moorhead, MN: $133,203 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Moorhead, MN earns a median $133,203/year (≈ $64.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $135,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected optometrist salary in Moorhead, Minnesota, for 2026 is set at $133,203, which reflects a slight decrease of 5.27% compared to the national median of $140,612. Salaries in this market span from $79,405 at the lower end to as high as $196,914 for the top 10% of earners. These figures represent local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, considering regional economic factors. In Moorhead, optometrists may find that their earnings can significantly vary, often dictated by whether they work in private practices, retail chains, or ophthalmology settings. The dynamics of practice ownership versus being employed as an associate play a crucial role in determining compensation levels in this region.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,405 | $38.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,373 | $53.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,203 | $64.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,159 | $74.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,914 | $94.67 |
Median Salary Position
5.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,509 (2026 est.). At $133,203, the local median is 5.27% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Optometrist Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $133,203/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $138,465 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.27% less |
Optometrists in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $133,203 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $138,465.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moorhead 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.
Moorhead, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,203 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,177
2025 BLS Actual
$129,374
2026 Current Est.
$133,203
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,177 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,973 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,912 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,729 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,374 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,203 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,146 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,177 (2019) to $129,374 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,146 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,969 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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) | $79,405 – $110,373 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,373 – $133,203 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,203 – $155,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,159 – $196,914 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Moorhead
In Moorhead, the local job market supports only 11 practicing optometrists, indicating a relatively small but stable demand for eye care professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, residents enjoy a slightly lower cost than the national average, which can enhance the real purchasing power of optometrists' salaries. Among local employers, private optometry practices often provide higher pay compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, particularly for those with residency training or in specialized roles alongside ophthalmologists. Factors such as the equity from practice ownership, the involvement in an OD/MD model, and employment terms from private practices transitioning to private equity ownership contribute to the varied salary landscape. To maximize pay in this market, aspiring optometrists should consider residency programs to enhance their qualifications, explore private practice opportunities, and cultivate relationships within the local healthcare community, potentially leading to better compensation and career growth.
More salary data for Moorhead, 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 $129,374 for optometristsin the Moorhead 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 Moorhead 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