Optometrist Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $135,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in St. Cloud, MN earns a median $135,866/year (≈ $65.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in St. Cloud's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $155,042 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, MN, the projected median salary for an optometrist in 2026 is set at $135,866, which reflects a competitive compensation structure, particularly in light of evolving scope-of-practice laws that now allow optometrists to manage glaucoma and prescribe oral medications. The salary range for optometrists covers a wide spectrum, from $100,458 at the 10th percentile to $239,063 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability likely influenced by factors such as employer type and individual experience. These estimates are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlighting how St. Cloud's optometry sector maintains a solid standing in a broader national context where the average annual salary for optometrists is approximately $140,612.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,458 | $48.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,111 | $58.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,866 | $65.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,067 | $82.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,063 | $114.93 |
Median Salary Position
3.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
In St. Cloud, MN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,605 (2026 est.). At $135,866, the local median is 3.38% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Cloud: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Cloud Optometrist Pay Compares
St. Cloud median: $135,866/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Cloud Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $138,497 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.38% less |
Optometrists in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $135,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.38% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.90% below the Minnesota state average of $138,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Cloud has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Cloud, MN has a cost-of-living index of 87.632 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,866 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,042 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,360
2025 BLS Actual
$131,960
2026 Current Est.
$135,866
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,065 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,931 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,888 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Cloud metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,360 (2019) to $131,960 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,888 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,528 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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) | $100,458 – $122,111 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,111 – $135,866 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,866 – $172,067 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,067 – $239,063 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in St. Cloud
An analysis of the job market reveals 30 optometrists currently employed in the St. Cloud area, which suggests a niche but stable demand for eye care specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 87.632, the economic climate allows for a potential stretch of take-home pay, enhancing purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Among local employers, independent optometry practices, retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision, and VA medical centers often have variable pay scales. Factors such as practice ownership, the hybrid OD/MD models, and residency training significantly impact earning potential. Optometrists who focus on network affiliations, possibly with vision insurance plans, may also find advantages. Understanding market dynamics, especially as private practices face acquisition pressures, can guide new optometrists in strategizing their employment for optimal financial outcomes.
More salary data for St. Cloud, 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 $131,960 for optometristsin the St. Cloud 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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