Optometrist Hourly Pay in Mount Pleasant, WI: $68.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Mount Pleasant, WI runs $68.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,368 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Mount Pleasant's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,027 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, the optometrist hourly pay is quite competitive, with a median rate of $68.93. This figure not only exceeds the national hourly median of $67.60 but also reflects local market dynamics. With such a pay scale, part-time optometrists working three days a week can earn a substantial income while still enjoying a flexible schedule. For those considering per-diem opportunities in diverse settings—ranging from private optometry exam rooms to retail optical chains—there's a clear pathway to financial stability. Entry-level professionals typically start around $39.98 per hour, while top earners can reach as much as $96.15 per hour, providing significant incentive to develop expertise and adapt to evolving scopes of practice in optometry.
About the Mount Pleasant 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) | $39.98 | $319.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.71 | $461.67 |
| Median (P50) | $68.93 | $551.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.81 | $646.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.15 | $769.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mount Pleasant
Based on $68.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.93/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mount Pleasant, WI can expect to earn approximately $143,378 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,718. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mount Pleasant.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mount Pleasant
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,757.27 | $11,948 | $143,378 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,654.36 | $7,169 | $86,027 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,102.91 | $4,779 | $57,351 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Mount Pleasant) | $68.93 |
| 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 Mount Pleasant, WI earn a median of $143,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.96% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,954.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.93/hr = $86,027/year (purchasing power: $92,106).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,378/year (purchasing power: $153,510).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Mount Pleasant grew 18.5% from $56.50/hr (2019) to $66.95/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.97/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 Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant
Evaluating the financial landscape reveals varied earning potential based on employment type in Mount Pleasant. A part-time optometrist working 24 hours a week could expect a take-home annual pay that is significantly lower than full-time colleagues, yet the flexibility and opportunity for supplemental income through per-diem work are attractive factors. Per-diem positions often allow optometrists to command rates between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains, while fill-in roles at OD/MD practices can offer $700 to $1,200 per shift. With residency-trained optometrists specializing in ocular disease potentially earning $90 to $130 per hour, it's evident that the choice of practice setting and level of specialization greatly influences hourly compensation. Moreover, some optometrists may opt for lower hourly pay at private practices for the benefits of health insurance, weighing security against higher hourly jobs that lack such perks. Discussions during hiring negotiations can center on the trade-offs between compensation and benefits, ensuring that local practitioners find an arrangement appropriate for their career goals and lifestyle in Mount Pleasant.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, 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
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 Mount Pleasant. 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 Mount Pleasant 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