Optometrist Hourly Pay in Sioux Falls, SD: $61.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Sioux Falls, SD runs $61.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,154 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Sioux Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.6, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,891 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Sioux Falls can expect an hourly pay of $61.61, which is notably lower than the national average of $67.60. This figure represents a competitive rate amidst various practice settings, such as private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, ophthalmology practices, and outpatient clinics. For professionals who may prefer part-time positions or per-diem work, this translates to a solid income—earning approximately $2,464 for a standard workweek at 40 hours based on full-time, or around $622 weekly for a three-day work schedule. Entry-level positions offer an hourly wage starting at $46.30, while experienced optometrists can make up to $71.85, tending to narrow down on the benefits of working in areas like the VA medical centers or local private practices where patient interactions are frequent and rewarding.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.30 | $370.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.75 | $374.03 |
| Median (P50) | $61.61 | $492.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.11 | $520.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.85 | $574.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux Falls
Based on $61.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.61/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux Falls, SD can expect to earn approximately $128,151 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,934. With a cost-of-living index of 90.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,464.45 | $10,679 | $128,151 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,478.67 | $6,408 | $76,891 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $985.78 | $4,272 | $51,261 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Sioux Falls) | $61.61 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $128,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.86% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.80% below the South Dakota state average of $130,503.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.61/hr = $76,891/year (purchasing power: $84,839).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,151/year (purchasing power: $141,399).
CoL index: 90.631 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Sioux Falls grew 8.4% from $55.19/hr (2019) to $59.84/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.43/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Sioux Falls
For part-time optometrists working three days a week, it is feasible to anticipate around $32,398 annually, which reflects a significant difference compared to full-time earnings. Those working on a per-diem basis in Sioux Falls often command rates ranging from $500 to $800 per day at retail chains, with locum tenens arrangements at OD/MD practices being even more lucrative—billing $700 to $1,200 per day. While some optometrists may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for the security of health benefits that private practices offer, others may prioritize pay rate over benefits at retail chains or military health facilities. This scenario emphasizes the importance of negotiations, particularly in a market like Sioux Falls. Factors such as local practice type—whether they are group, solo, retail, or hospital-based—can play a significant part in pay structure and job satisfaction, allowing for flexibility in how one approaches their career in optometry.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Sioux Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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