Optometrist Salary in Prior Lake, MN: $135,557 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Prior Lake, MN earns a median $135,557/year (≈ $65.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Prior Lake's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $137,621 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Prior Lake, Minnesota, can expect to earn a median salary of $135,557, slightly below the national median of $140,612. This figure reflects a salary range that stretches from $78,623 at the lower end (P10) to $200,204 at the higher end (P90), providing insight into the income potential for practitioners at both established and entry-level positions. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost conditions, indicating that while Prior Lake's compensation is competitive, it doesn’t fully match the national averages. Factors such as the OD/MD surgical co-management revenue model can significantly influence individual earnings, enhancing the compensation structure for optometrists working in collaborative settings and contributing to the demand for high-quality care in the area.
About the Prior Lake Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,623 | $37.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,958 | $51.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,557 | $65.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,682 | $75.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,204 | $96.25 |
Median Salary Position
3.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prior Lake
In Prior Lake, MN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,581 (2026 est.). At $135,557, the local median is 3.59% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prior Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Prior Lake Optometrist Pay Compares
Prior Lake median: $135,557/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prior Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $138,465 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.59% less |
Optometrists in Prior Lake, MN earn a median of $135,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.59% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.10% below the Minnesota state average of $138,465.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prior Lake 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.
Prior Lake, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,557 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,621 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,107
2025 BLS Actual
$131,660
2026 Current Est.
$135,557
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Prior Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,107 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,806 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,831 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,075 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,119 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,039 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,557 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,570 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prior Lake metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,107 (2019) to $131,660 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,463 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prior Lake 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) | $78,623 – $106,958 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,958 – $135,557 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,557 – $157,682 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,682 – $200,204 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Prior Lake
The local job market for optometrists in Prior Lake comprises only seven professionals, which creates a tight employment scenario. With a cost of living index of 98.5, it’s clear that the purchasing power for optometrists is somewhat augmented, as lower living costs can lead to a higher take-home salary. Employers in Prior Lake vary widely, from private optometry practices to retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks, with larger ophthalmology practices potentially offering the highest wages due to their OD/MD models that facilitate revenue sharing from surgical referrals. The variance in pay is often influenced by factors such as practice ownership, residency training specifics, and the recent trend of private practices converting to private equity-owned models. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in this market, strategies such as pursuing advanced residencies, seeking employment within collaborative care environments, or negotiating lucrative contracts in private practice settings can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Prior Lake, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Prior Lake?
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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 $131,660 for optometristsin the Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake 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