State comparison · 2025
Optometrists salary: Maryland vs South Dakota
Optometrists in Maryland earn a median of $165,840. In South Dakota, $102,320. After cost-of-living, the gap is 36.8% — not 62.1%.
Nominal pay gap
+62.1%
Maryland vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+36.8%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
Maryland
Optometrists
- Median
- $165,840
- p25
- $81,780
- p75
- $201,810
- p10
- $50,560
- p90
- $215,420
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 105.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +100%
South Dakota
Optometrists
- Median
- $102,320
- p25
- $94,350
- p75
- $133,200
- p10
- $90,560
- p90
- $174,920
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.