Optometrist Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $63.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Madison, WI runs $63.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,015 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,217 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The optometrist hourly pay in Madison, Wisconsin, reaches a median of $63.47, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $67.60. This financial landscape presents various opportunities for both part-time and per-diem optometrists working in settings such as private exam rooms and retail optical chain locations. Individuals working three days a week can expect to earn a stable income, while those opting for per-diem positions often enjoy flexibility in their schedules. In Madison, hourly wages range from $50.58 for entry-level positions to $97.36 for top earners, reflecting the demand for optometrists and the nuances of their various work environments. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlights the growing market for eye care professionals in the region.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.58 | $404.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.63 | $485.07 |
| Median (P50) | $63.47 | $507.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.34 | $650.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.36 | $778.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $63.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.47/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $132,028 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,170. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,538.99 | $11,002 | $132,028 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,523.40 | $6,601 | $79,217 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,015.60 | $4,401 | $52,811 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Madison) | $63.47 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Madison, WI earn a median of $132,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 10.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,999.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.47/hr = $79,217/year (purchasing power: $81,426).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,028/year (purchasing power: $135,709).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Madison grew 35.3% from $45.58/hr (2019) to $61.65/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.35/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Madison
Exploring the reality of earnings for optometrists in Madison, a 3-day workweek (approximately 24 hours) translates to an annual income significantly lower than that of full-time colleagues. Per diem optometrists can expect to earn between $500 and $1,200 per day, depending on their employment setting, which makes this an appealing option for many. The hourly rates can fluctuate widely among different employer types, such as private practices, retail optical chains like LensCrafters, and ophthalmology practices that may offer contracts that appeal to residency-trained professionals. In many cases, higher hourly wages come without benefits such as health insurance, prompting some optometrists to weigh their compensation against job security and additional perks. For those negotiating hourly pay in Madison, understanding the differences across various practice types and articulating how their skills align with the needs of employers can be instrumental in achieving a favorable outcome.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Madison. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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