Optometrist Hourly Pay in Menomonee Falls, WI: $70.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Menomonee Falls, WI runs $70.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Menomonee Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $75.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,517 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $70.13 in 2026, surpassing the national hourly median of $67.60. This competitive rate opens various opportunities for both full-time and part-time practitioners, particularly those working three days a week or those seeking per-diem roles. Common workplaces for optometrists include private optometry practices, retail optical locations like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision, as well as VA outpatient clinics and university teaching facilities. The hourly range for optometrists in this area spans from approximately $40.68 at entry-level positions to around $97.89 for those at the top end, indicating a healthy earning potential based on experience and work setting. These figures are derived from annual salary data, allowing for a clear understanding of the financial landscape for optometrists in the region.
About the Menomonee Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.68 | $325.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.93 | $447.42 |
| Median (P50) | $70.13 | $561.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.61 | $668.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.89 | $783.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Menomonee Falls
Based on $70.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.13/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Menomonee Falls, WI can expect to earn approximately $145,862 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,151. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Menomonee Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Menomonee Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,805.04 | $12,155 | $145,862 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,683.03 | $7,293 | $87,517 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,122.02 | $4,862 | $58,345 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Menomonee Falls) | $70.13 |
| 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 Menomonee Falls, WI earn a median of $145,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.74% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $148,093.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.13/hr = $87,517/year (purchasing power: $93,702).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,862/year (purchasing power: $156,169).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Menomonee Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Menomonee Falls grew 18.5% from $57.48/hr (2019) to $68.11/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.20/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 Menomonee Falls 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 Menomonee Falls
For part-time optometrists working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home can be significant, bringing in around $87,354 compared to full-time colleagues. The per-diem model is also prevalent, with optometrists filling in at retail chains typically earning between $500 and $800 per day. In more specialized settings, such as OD/MD practices, daily rates can go as high as $1,200, particularly for residency-trained practitioners engaged in ocular disease management. Hourly rates can differ widely in Menomonee Falls based on the type of employer; retail chains may offer lower rates compared to private practices that might provide benefits, positioning these choices as a trade-off between hourly pay and job security with health insurance coverage. Effective negotiation is essential, especially when evaluating offers from competing employers, making it vital for optometrists to consider both immediate financial benefits and long-term professional development opportunities within the evolving field of optometry in WI.
More salary data for Menomonee Falls, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Menomonee Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Menomonee Falls?
Are optometrists in Menomonee Falls paid hourly or salary?
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Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Menomonee Falls?
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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 Menomonee Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Menomonee Falls is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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