Optometrist Salary in Williston, ND: $123,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Williston, ND earns a median $123,440/year (≈ $59.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $134,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Williston, North Dakota, the projected median optometrist salary for 2026 is $123,440, reflecting the local market's structure that includes solo practitioners, group practices, and retail chains. With a salary range between $72,004 and $176,254, these numbers are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. The compensation landscape indicates that while local pay lags behind the national median of $140,612 by 12.21%, factors such as practice ownership and retail chain dynamics shape earning potential for optometrists in the area. The limited number of employed optometrists, totaling just seven, demonstrates a tight-knit job market where opportunities can be influenced by individual practice choices.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,004 | $34.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,115 | $48.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,440 | $59.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,286 | $70.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,254 | $84.74 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,250 (2026 est.). At $123,440, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Optometrist Pay Compares
Williston median: $123,440/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $129,392 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.21% less |
Optometrists in Williston, ND earn a median of $123,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $129,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $123,440 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,174 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,175
2025 BLS Actual
$119,891
2026 Current Est.
$123,440
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,175 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,633 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,252 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,756 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,368 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,891 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,094 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $101,175 (2019) to $119,891 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,094 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,919 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $72,004 – $101,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,115 – $123,440 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,440 – $147,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,286 – $176,254 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Williston
The cost-of-living index in Williston stands at 92, which suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the overall expenses in the area are comparatively more manageable and can stretch take-home income further. Among local employers, private optometry practices tend to offer higher pay, particularly those who may operate in an OD/MD model that allows for additional revenue through surgical referrals. The variability in salary arises from differing practice styles, levels of education such as residency training, and other factors like equity ownership. For those considering optometry opportunities in Williston, potentially maximizing pay could involve exploring ownership stakes in private practices, seeking both residency training and advanced certifications, and positioning themselves in environments that prioritize comprehensive care and specialized treatments.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
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 $119,891 for optometristsin the Williston 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 Williston 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