Optometrist Salary in Brookfield, WI: $145,527 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Brookfield, WI earns a median $145,527/year (≈ $69.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Brookfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $155,810 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Brookfield, WI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $145,527 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $140,612. The local salary range for optometrists spans from $84,406 at the 10th percentile to $202,461 at the 90th percentile, suggesting considerable variability in earnings based on factors such as experience, practice setting, and additional training. With the robust expansion of optometry's scope of practice, which now includes the management of glaucoma and the administration of oral medications, salaries in this field can reflect both the complexity of care provided and the economic demand for these services. This compensation framework illustrates the attractiveness of Brookfield's market for optometrists considering employment opportunities within this dynamic environment.
About the Brookfield Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,406 | $40.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,264 | $58.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,527 | $69.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,953 | $81.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,461 | $97.34 |
Median Salary Position
3.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookfield
In Brookfield, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,055 (2026 est.). At $145,527, the local median is 3.5% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookfield: You'd be above the median
How Brookfield Optometrist Pay Compares
Brookfield median: $145,527/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,043 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.50% more |
Optometrists in Brookfield, WI earn a median of $145,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.50% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $148,043.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookfield has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookfield, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $145,527 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,810 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,278
2025 BLS Actual
$141,343
2026 Current Est.
$145,527
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Brookfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,278 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,176 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,644 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,979 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,468 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,374 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,343 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,527 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,834 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookfield metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,278 (2019) to $141,343 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,834 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,556 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookfield 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) | $84,406 – $121,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,264 – $145,527 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,527 – $169,953 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,953 – $202,461 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Brookfield
In Brookfield, six optometrists are currently employed, and the cost of living index sits at 93.4, positioning the area below the national average. This affects the effective purchasing power of optometrists, making salaries more favorable in comparison to expenses. Private practices often provide higher pay compared to retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, particularly for those with ownership equity or those engaged in combined OD/MD models that share surgical referral revenues. Other factors influencing salary disparities include specialization such as residency training in ocular disease, which can command a premium, as well as the changing ownership landscape with many private practices being acquired by private equity firms. For optometrists in Brookfield, maximizing pay can involve building strong ties within the community, pursuing advanced training, and considering practice ownership as viable strategies to enhance professional and financial growth.
More salary data for Brookfield, 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
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 $141,343 for optometristsin the Brookfield 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
Salary data for Brookfield 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