Optometrist Salary in Winona, MN: $131,258 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Winona, MN earns a median $131,258/year (≈ $63.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Winona's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $133,257 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winona, MN, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $131,258 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation framework influenced by local cost of living and practice dynamics. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $76,130 at the 10th percentile to $186,031 at the 90th percentile. Factors such as participation in the OD/MD model for surgical co-management contribute significantly to this compensation structure, allowing practitioners to enhance their earnings through surgical referrals and collaborative care with ophthalmologists. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, indicate that optometrists in Winona benefit from a relatively stable job market with four professionals currently employed in the field.
About the Winona Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,130 | $36.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,444 | $51.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,258 | $63.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,374 | $74.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,031 | $89.44 |
Median Salary Position
6.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winona
In Winona, MN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,901 (2026 est.). At $131,258, the local median is 6.65% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winona: You'd be above the median
How Winona Optometrist Pay Compares
Winona median: $131,258/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $138,457 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.65% less |
Optometrists in Winona, MN earn a median of $131,258 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.65% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.20% below the Minnesota state average of $138,457.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winona 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.
Winona, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,258 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,257 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,582
2025 BLS Actual
$127,484
2026 Current Est.
$131,258
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Winona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,582 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,196 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,234 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,087 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,484 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,258 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winona metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,582 (2019) to $127,484 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,561 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winona 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) | $76,130 – $106,444 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,444 – $131,258 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,258 – $155,374 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,374 – $186,031 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Winona
The job market for optometrists in Winona remains steady, yet the cost of living index at 98.5 suggests that take-home pay offers a more favorable purchasing power for residents compared to national averages. Among the types of employers in Winona, while private optometry practices may offer competitive salaries, retail optical chains typically provide less favorable pay packages. The disparity in earnings can largely be attributed to factors such as practice ownership, which can yield higher compensation through equity and profit-sharing, and the advanced revenue opportunities presented by the OD/MD model. Strategies for optimizing salary potential in this market include pursuing residency training in ocular disease or establishing partnerships with ophthalmology practices to drive referral income. Understanding these local employment dynamics and leveraging one's qualifications will be key for aspiring optometrists exploring how much do optometrists make in Winona.
More salary data for Winona, 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 $127,484 for optometristsin the Winona 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 Winona 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