Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Green Bay, WI: $52,324 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Green Bay, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $52,324 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Green Bay's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $56,210 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($149,127) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Prospective optometrists entering the field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, can expect a starting salary around $52,324 in 2026. Although this figure is significantly lower than the city's median salary of $149,127, it serves as a foundation for career growth, offering new graduates a pathway to increase their earnings over time. With dedication and experience, many can anticipate moving from the 10th percentile to around $100,468 within their first few years. This trajectory indicates a favorable job market for new entrants, especially in a community where healthcare professions have shown resilience and potential for expansion.
Career Earnings Timeline in Green Bay
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Green Bay
Entry-level optometrists in Green Bay, WI typically start between $52,324 and $100,468 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $174,054 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $149,127 — 6.06% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in Wisconsin of $150,000 represents just 286.68% of the starting optometrist pay ($52,324/year) in Green Bay. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOE-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs. Public school OD programs offer lower in-state tuition, while private institutions carry higher out-of-pocket costs. Totals reflect tuition and fees for the 4-year professional program; clinical rotation travel and living costs add to the total cost of attendance.
OD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Green Bay
- 1Research the Green Bay market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $52,324 to $100,468, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the optometry field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Green Bay, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Green Bay for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Green Bay's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Optometrist Compensation Range
The optometrist wage spread in Green Bay is $174,054 ( 332.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $52,324, experienced hygienists can earn up to $226,378.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,940
2025 BLS Actual
$50,820
2026 Current Est.
$52,324
2019–2027 Growth
+63.5%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Green Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,236 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,324 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,873 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Green Bay, WI grew 54.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,940 in 2019 to $50,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,873. New graduates entering the Green Bay job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Green Bay 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.
Starting Your optometry Career in Green Bay
In Green Bay, employers that actively hire new graduates include retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks, known for structured training programs for entry-level optometrists. Additionally, residency-trained ODs often find opportunities in well-established OD/MD practices or within the VA system, which has its own pathways for new graduates. In terms of credentials, obtaining an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution is vital, alongside passing the NBEO Parts I-III and gaining state licensure. Further qualifications, such as pursuing a one-year residency in ocular disease or certifications in glaucoma and oral pharmaceutical agent use, significantly enhance starting pay in Wisconsin. New ODs should strategically position themselves within the evolving landscape of optometry, particularly as the scope of practice expands to include glaucoma management and oral medications. Realistic salary advances of approximately 10-20% can often be seen in the first three years as optometrists navigate their careers in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Green Bay, WI:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new optometry graduates. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Green Bay. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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