Optometrist Salary in Pierre, SD: $122,596 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Pierre, SD earns a median $122,596/year (≈ $58.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $132,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected compensation for optometrists in Pierre, South Dakota, reaches a median annual salary of $122,596. This figure reflects not just the demand for optometric services in the area, but also the potential revenue generated through surgical co-management arrangements with ophthalmologists. Such collaborative efforts can significantly enhance earnings, especially for those involved in the OD/MD model. The full salary spectrum ranges from $71,105 at the 10th percentile to $173,562 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse earning potential in this field. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, indicating how market forces shape the optometrist salary in Pierre.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,105 | $34.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,406 | $50.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,596 | $58.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,065 | $70.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,562 | $83.44 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,457 (2026 est.). At $122,596, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be above the median
How Pierre Optometrist Pay Compares
Pierre median: $122,596/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $130,421 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.81% less |
Optometrists in Pierre, SD earn a median of $122,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $130,421.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pierre 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.
Pierre, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $122,596 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,108 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,483
2025 BLS Actual
$119,071
2026 Current Est.
$122,596
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,483 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,924 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,373 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,498 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,965 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,983 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,071 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,596 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $100,483 (2019) to $119,071 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,741 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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) | $71,105 – $104,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,406 – $122,596 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,596 – $146,065 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,065 – $173,562 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Pierre
The local job market consists of only four optometrists, which indicates a relatively stable employment scenario but also highlights limited competition. With a cost-of-living index at 92.8, the purchasing power for optometrists in Pierre is slightly favorable compared to national averages. Among employers, private optometry practices and those in the OD/MD model often pay the highest salaries, as they can benefit from patient referrals and surgical revenue streams. Factors affecting pay disparities include ownership stakes, the complexity of clinical services rendered, and the presence of residency-trained professionals who can command higher wages. For those seeking to maximize optometrist pay in Pierre, pursuing additional training in ocular disease and integrating into practice settings that provide surgical co-management opportunities are beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Pierre, 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 $119,071 for optometristsin the Pierre 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 Pierre 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