Optometrist Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $149,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $149,512/year (≈ $71.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $160,077 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is set at $149,512, reflecting a competitive edge over the national figure of $140,612. This local salary range extends from $86,717 at the 10th percentile to $216,448 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on practice ownership, employment structures, and clinical experience. Many practitioners in this market navigate choices between establishing their own practices and seeking employment with retail optical chains or ophthalmology groups. This structural divergence plays a substantial role in compensation, as those who run private practices often have more control over their earnings and can benefit from equity in their business.
About the Eau Claire Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,717 | $41.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,908 | $59.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,512 | $71.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,492 | $85.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,448 | $104.06 |
Median Salary Position
6.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,731 (2026 est.). At $149,512, the local median is 6.33% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eau Claire Optometrist Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $149,512/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,032 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +6.33% more |
Optometrists in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $149,512 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.33% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $148,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire 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.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $149,512 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $160,077 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,545
2025 BLS Actual
$145,214
2026 Current Est.
$149,512
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,545 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,522 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,644 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,214 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,938 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $122,545 (2019) to $145,214 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,938 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,393 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $86,717 – $123,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,908 – $149,512 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,512 – $178,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,492 – $216,448 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Eau Claire
The job market in Eau Claire features ten employed optometrists, which suggests a stable but limited local employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, the compensation for optometrists here affords a relatively comfortable living, especially compared to national averages. Among local employers, private optometry practices often yield higher compensation due to their ability to generate income through diverse services and patient care. Variations in income arise from different practice models—those in retail chains may face capped salaries and little room for growth, while residency-trained optometrists may leverage their specialization, especially in areas like glaucoma and ocular disease, for higher pay. To maximize earnings in Eau Claire, practitioners should consider investing in additional training or volunteer opportunities that may lead to elevated positions in established practices or hospital systems.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Eau Claire?
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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 $145,214 for optometristsin the Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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