Healthcare Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Optometrist Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median optometrist salary in Great Falls, MT is $108,007 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 7.5% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$108,007
vs State Avg
$-8,792
vs National
$-17,583
Cost of Living
88%

Optometrist Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median optometrist salary of $108,007, which is $8,792 below the Montana state average of $116,799. Compared to the national median of $125,590, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $108,007 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $122,735 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for optometrists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for optometrists in Great Falls spans from $67,080 at the 10th percentile to $165,120 at the 90th percentile — a $98,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,520, while senior optometrists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $153,080. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Optometrist Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level optometrist earns around $70,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $153,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,520
$-11,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$110,080
$-17,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$153,080
$-24,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $67,080
25th Percentile $86,000
Median (50th) $108,007
75th Percentile $135,880
90th Percentile $165,120

Optometrist Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$141,917
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$125,590
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$118,055
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$115,543
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Optometrist in Great Falls

Education

Most optometrist positions require a doctoral degree. Great Falls and the surrounding Montana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Eye ExaminationRefractionContact Lens FittingOcular DiseasePatient EducationDiagnostic Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, optometrist employment is projected to grow 9% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Optometrist Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open optometrist positions in Great Falls, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Optometrist Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Optometrist make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median optometrist salary in Great Falls, Montana is $108,007 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $125,590. Salaries range from $67,080 (10th percentile) to $165,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Optometrist make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $108,007, a optometrist in Great Falls earns approximately $52 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for optometrist pay? ▼
Great Falls's median optometrist salary of $108,007 is 7.5% below the Montana state average of $116,799. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a optometrist salary of $108,007 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a optometrist in Great Falls? ▼
Most optometrist positions in Great Falls require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Eye Examination, Refraction, Contact Lens Fitting, Ocular Disease. The job market is projected to grow 9% nationally over the next decade.