verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Optometrist Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$102,320/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$49.19/hr
▼ 25% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
190
public U.S. Median
$136,570
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$115,504 #48 of 51

Optometrist pay in South Dakota, explained

Optometrists in South Dakota earn a median of $102,320 per year ($49.19 per hour), which is 25% below the national median of $136,570. Entry-level workers earn around $90,560, while the most experienced optometrists reach about $174,920. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $102,320 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $102,320 is worth about $115,504 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #48 for real pay (vs #50 on the sticker number).

See the full Optometrist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Optometrist pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$90,560
$43.54/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$102,320
$49.19/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$174,920
$84.10/hr

Optometrist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $102,320 $115,504
Minnesota $158,700 $160,919 −$56,380
North Dakota $132,110 $148,507 −$29,790
Iowa $125,380 $142,864 −$23,060
Nebraska $125,040 $138,775 −$22,720
Wyoming $111,400 $120,184 −$9,080
Montana $104,280 $110,180 −$1,960

Optometrist in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do optometrists make in South Dakota?

Optometrists in South Dakota earn a median of $102,320 per year ($49.19 per hour), compared with $136,570 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay optometrists well?

At $102,320, South Dakota pays 25% below the national median for optometrists. An estimated 190 work in the state.

Optometrist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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