Optometrists pay range in Fargo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $109,990 a year or less, while the top 10% make $170,370 or more. The middle half of optometrists in Fargo earn between $110,030 and $151,820.
- $110K10th
- $110K25th
- $133KMedian
- $152K75th
- $170K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $137,730 | $11,478 | $66.22 |
| Median | $132,690 | $11,058 | $63.79 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $110,030 | $9,169 | $52.90 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $151,820 | $12,652 | $72.99 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.
Optometrists salary after taxes in Fargo
On the average salary of $137,730, a single filer in Fargo takes home about $103,999 a year, or $8,667 a month and $4,000 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
The Fargo, ND-MN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in ND | $103,999 | $8,667 |
| Working in MN | $97,426 | $8,119 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Fargo a good place for optometrists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Fargo area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.9), so the average $137,730 buys what about $151,567 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Fargo ($51,050). A typical home costs $327,854, or 2.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Optometrists salary in other North Dakota cities
Fargo ranks 2nd of 2 North Dakota metro areas for this job; Bismarck pays the most ($138,740).
- Bismarck$138,740
- Fargo$137,730
Highest-paying cities for optometrists
Roanoke, VA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($219,610).
- Roanoke, VA$219,610
- Wilmington, NC$204,680
- Trenton, NJ$186,160
- Fort Collins, CO$183,350
- Santa Rosa, CA$172,860
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Optometrists salary in Fargo: questions
How much do optometrists make an hour in Fargo?
$66.22 an hour on average, and $63.79 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level optometrists salary in Fargo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $109,990 a year and the 25th percentile is $110,030, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the optometrists take-home pay in Fargo?
About $103,999 a year ($8,667 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $137,730.
Do optometrists earn more in Fargo than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% less than the U.S. metro average for this job ($143,182).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1041; area Fargo, ND-MN (22020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.5%.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.89, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.