Optometrist Salary in Huron, SD: $120,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Huron, SD earns a median $120,339/year (≈ $57.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Huron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $129,676 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huron, South Dakota, optometrists earn a median annual salary of $120,339, a figure notably lower than the national median of $140,612. The salary range for local optometrists spans from $71,895 at the 10th percentile to $166,204 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations. The choice between practice ownership, employed associate roles, and retail chain positions appears to heavily influence compensation levels in this market. Given the relatively small number of employed optometrists—only five in the area—competition for higher salaries may be impacted by the specific practice models available in Huron.
About the Huron Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,895 | $34.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,743 | $47.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,339 | $57.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,353 | $68.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,204 | $79.91 |
Median Salary Position
14.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huron
In Huron, SD, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,309 (2026 est.). At $120,339, the local median is 14.42% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huron: You'd be above the median
How Huron Optometrist Pay Compares
Huron median: $120,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $130,519 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -14.42% less |
Optometrists in Huron, SD earn a median of $120,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.42% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.80% below the South Dakota state average of $130,519.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huron has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huron, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $120,339 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,676 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,633
2025 BLS Actual
$116,879
2026 Current Est.
$120,339
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Huron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,633 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,029 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,378 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,482 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,977 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,879 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,901 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huron metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $98,633 (2019) to $116,879 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,901 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,268 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huron 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) | $71,895 – $99,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,743 – $120,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,339 – $143,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,353 – $166,204 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Huron
Examining the local job market reveals that optometrist pay in Huron, SD, offers unique dynamics when considering the cost of living index, which stands at 92.8, indicating a lower than average cost for residents. This figure translates into higher purchasing power for optometrists, making the take-home pay more significant despite lower salaries compared to the national average. Among the various employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology settings tend to offer the best pay. The disparity in earnings can often be attributed to factors such as ownership stakes, the integration of ophthalmology affiliations, and whether practitioners have completed specialized residencies. Those seeking to maximize their optometrist salary in Huron should consider pursuing additional training in ocular disease or aligning themselves with high-revenue ophthalmology practices to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Huron, SD:
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 $116,879 for optometristsin the Huron 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 Huron 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