Optometrist Salary in Appleton, WI: $154,502 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Appleton, WI earns a median $154,502/year (≈ $74.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $167,176 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the earnings for optometrists in Appleton, Wisconsin, are projected to average $154,502 annually, positioning the city ahead of the national median of $140,612 by about 9.88%. This salary falls within a range from $75,789 on the lower end to $214,558 at the higher end, reflecting diverse opportunities available in this market. Factors such as the choice between private practice ownership, associate positions, and employment with retail chains contribute significantly to the variations in compensation. Those who opt for practice ownership may capitalize on the revenue generated through comprehensive care, whereas employed optometrists in retail chains might experience different compensation structures, often with limited growth potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,789 | $36.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,779 | $55.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,502 | $74.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,349 | $89.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,558 | $103.16 |
Median Salary Position
9.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,769 (2026 est.). At $154,502, the local median is 9.88% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be above the median
How Appleton Optometrist Pay Compares
Appleton median: $154,502/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,990 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +9.88% more |
Optometrists in Appleton, WI earn a median of $154,502 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.88% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $147,990.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $154,502 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $167,176 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,634
2025 BLS Actual
$150,060
2026 Current Est.
$154,502
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,634 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,711 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,502 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,075 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $126,634 (2019) to $150,060 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,075 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,441 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $75,789 – $115,779 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,779 – $154,502 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,502 – $185,349 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,349 – $214,558 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Appleton
Analyzing the local optometry market reveals a stable workforce of approximately 60 optometrists, navigating a cost of living index of 92.419, which suggests that residents in Appleton enjoy a relatively affordable living environment compared to national averages. Take-home pay can go further, enhancing the appeal of positions in this area. Employers such as private optometry practices, and VA medical centers typically offer more lucrative compensation compared to retail optical chains, which often provide limited salary packages. The discrepancies between low and high salaries in Appleton can be attributed to factors such as equity from practice ownership, residency training premiums, and the intricacies of the OD/MD model, where optometrists working alongside ophthalmologists may benefit from surgical referral arrangements. To maximize earnings, aspiring optometrists should consider pursuing residency training, which often opens doors to higher-paying positions, and evaluate practice models that allow for greater financial growth within the evolving optometric landscape.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Appleton?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $150,060 for optometristsin the Appleton metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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