Optometrists pay range in Bismarck
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $103,050 a year or less, while the top 10% make $210,580 or more. The middle half of optometrists in Bismarck earn between $107,810 and $167,310.
- $103K10th
- $108K25th
- $121KMedian
- $167K75th
- $211K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $138,740 | $11,562 | $66.70 |
| Median | $121,100 | $10,092 | $58.22 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $107,810 | $8,984 | $51.83 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $167,310 | $13,942 | $80.44 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Optometrists pay in Bismarck vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Optometrists in Bismarck earn 5% more than the North Dakota average ($132,080) and about the same as the U.S. average ($141,550). At the median the gap is -11% against the U.S. median of $136,570.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $138,740 | $121,100 | $103,050 | $210,580 | 30 |
| North Dakota | $132,080 | $132,110 | $74,610 | $178,900 | 140 |
| United States | $141,550 | $136,570 | $74,870 | $202,180 | 42,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Optometrists salary after taxes in Bismarck
On the average salary of $138,740, a single filer in Bismarck takes home about $104,670 a year, or $8,723 a month and $4,026 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Bismarck a good place for optometrists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Bismarck area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.0), so the average $138,740 buys what about $152,421 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Bismarck ($52,560). A typical home costs $356,992, or 2.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Optometrists salary in other North Dakota cities
Bismarck ranks 1st of 2 North Dakota metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Bismarck$138,740
- Fargo$137,730
Highest-paying cities for optometrists
Roanoke, VA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($219,610).
- Roanoke, VA$219,610
- Wilmington, NC$204,680
- Trenton, NJ$186,160
- Fort Collins, CO$183,350
- Santa Rosa, CA$172,860
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Optometrists salary in Bismarck: questions
How much do optometrists make an hour in Bismarck?
$66.70 an hour on average, and $58.22 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level optometrists salary in Bismarck?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $103,050 a year and the 25th percentile is $107,810, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the optometrists take-home pay in Bismarck?
About $104,670 a year ($8,723 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $138,740.
Do optometrists earn more in Bismarck than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($141,550).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1041; area Bismarck, ND (13900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.64, this job is 1.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.