Optometrist Salary in South Dakota
Based on 190+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$102,320
$49.19/hr
vs National Average
$136,108
-24.8% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$91K – $175K
190 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Optometrist in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $90,560 |
| 25th percentile | $94,350 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $102,320 |
| 75th percentile | $133,200 |
| 90th percentile | $174,920 |
Top-Paying Industries for Optometrist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Optometrists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Optometrists in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $166,410 | 60 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $160,100 | — |
| Retail Trade | $159,250 | 6K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $134,370 | 36K |
| Educational Services | $124,280 | 110 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Optometrist in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $102,890 |
| 2023 | $109,480 |
| 2024 | $118,980 |
| 2025 | $102,320 |
| 2026 (projected) | $102,320 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Dakota Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $102,890 | $121,162 |
| 2023 | $109,480 | $129,589 |
| 2024 | $118,980 | $131,624 |
| 2025 | $102,320 | $136,108 |
| 2026 (projected) | $102,320 | $136,108 |
Optometrist Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $94,350 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $102,320 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $133,200 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $174,920 |
Optometrist Salary in Other States
Related Optometrist Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Optometrist ($102,320 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Optometrist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist in SD | $586,010 | +472.7% | $281.74/hr |
| Emergency Medicine Physician in SD | $393,870 | +284.9% | $189.36/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in SD | $297,610 | +190.9% | $143.08/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in SD | $280,520 | +174.2% | $134.87/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in SD | $263,930 | +157.9% | $126.89/hr |
| Pediatrician in SD | $257,610 | +151.8% | $123.85/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in SD | $239,970 | +134.5% | $115.37/hr |
| Psychiatrist in SD | $226,180 | +121.1% | $108.74/hr |
| Dentist in SD | $158,140 | +54.6% | $76.03/hr |
| Pharmacist in SD | $146,790 | +43.5% | $70.57/hr |
| Physician Assistant in SD | $133,200 | +30.2% | $64.04/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in SD | $128,840 | +25.9% | $61.94/hr |