Optometrist Salary in Fargo, ND: $136,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fargo, ND earns a median $136,618/year (≈ $65.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $150,343 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, optometrists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $136,618 in 2026, reflecting regional variations against the national median of $140,612. With a salary range spanning from $113,246 for the lowest earners to $175,413 for those at the high end, the local figures place the city’s optometrist pay slightly below the national average by approximately 2.84%. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026 and underscore how the expanded scope of practice for optometrists in North Dakota, including prescriptive authority for oral medications and management of glaucoma, can enhance earning potential. As the landscape of optometry evolves, Fargo's market continues to provide promising opportunities within this profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,246 | $54.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,287 | $54.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,618 | $65.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,314 | $75.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,413 | $84.33 |
Median Salary Position
2.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,167 (2026 est.). At $136,618, the local median is 2.84% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fargo Optometrist Pay Compares
Fargo median: $136,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $129,373 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.84% less |
Optometrists in Fargo, ND earn a median of $136,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.60% above the North Dakota state average of $129,373.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,618 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,343 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,976
2025 BLS Actual
$132,690
2026 Current Est.
$136,618
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,976 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,696 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,662 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,976 (2019) to $132,690 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,662 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,686 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $113,246 – $113,287 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,287 – $136,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,618 – $156,314 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,314 – $175,413 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fargo
Fargo’s job market supports around 40 practicing optometrists, presenting a small but stable workforce in the area. The cost of living index at 90.871 indicates that residents enjoy the benefits of lower housing and living expenses, which enhance purchasing power despite the slightly lower salary projections. Among the various employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages, driven by factors such as practice ownership and the collaboration of ODs with MDs in surgical settings. The disparity in pay can also be influenced by residency training in ocular disease or affiliated hospital networks. To maximize earnings in Fargo, optometrists may consider pursuing residual roles, aligning with specialized practices, or seeking additional certifications that diversify their skill set and patient service offerings.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Fargo?
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Related Pages
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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 $132,690 for optometristsin the Fargo 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