Optometrist Salary in Blaine, MN: $134,490 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Blaine, MN earns a median $134,490/year (≈ $64.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Blaine's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $136,538 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Blaine, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for optometrists is $134,490 for 2026, slightly below the national median of $140,612. This figure reflects the local employment market's dynamics, ranging from $78,005 at the 10th percentile to $197,541 at the 90th percentile. Job opportunities are bolstered by the demand for optometrists who can manage surgical co-management revenue within the OD/MD model, thereby enhancing overall compensation. With 18 optometrists currently practicing in Blaine, the local job market trends seem robust, providing optometrists with a platform for financial growth while also meeting community health needs.
About the Blaine Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,005 | $37.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,038 | $51.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,490 | $64.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,264 | $78.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,541 | $94.97 |
Median Salary Position
4.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blaine
In Blaine, MN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,536 (2026 est.). At $134,490, the local median is 4.35% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Blaine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blaine Optometrist Pay Compares
Blaine median: $134,490/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blaine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $138,507 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.35% less |
Optometrists in Blaine, MN earn a median of $134,490 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.35% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.90% below the Minnesota state average of $138,507.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blaine has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Blaine, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,490 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,538 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,232
2025 BLS Actual
$130,624
2026 Current Est.
$134,490
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Blaine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,232 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,122 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,119 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,992 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,624 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,490 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,471 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blaine metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,232 (2019) to $130,624 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,471 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,239 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blaine 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) | $78,005 – $108,038 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,038 – $134,490 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,490 – $162,264 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,264 – $197,541 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Blaine
The cost of living in Blaine is relatively lower, with a cost of living index of 98.5, which suggests that the purchasing power for optometrists here is favorable compared to many other regions. Among the various employer types, private optometry practices often offer higher salaries than retail chains such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. The variance in compensation can be attributed to factors like practice ownership, the extent of surgical co-management conducted with ophthalmologists, and whether the optometrists have pursued additional training through residency programs. Maximizing pay in this market may involve seeking positions within ophthalmology practices or enhancing clinical skills, particularly in areas like glaucoma management and surgical co-management, to increase value and marketability in Blaine's evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Blaine, MN:
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 $130,624 for optometristsin the Blaine 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 Blaine 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