Optometrist Salary in Fitchburg, WI: $147,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fitchburg, WI earns a median $147,158/year (≈ $70.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fitchburg's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $157,557 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $147,158, reflecting a competitive compensation compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range for practitioners varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $85,352 and the top 10% potentially exceeding $212,814. These estimations are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences, providing a clear picture of earnings for optometrists in this specific market. Given Fitchburg's ongoing demand for vision care services, the opportunities for optometrists in town look promising, particularly for those who engage in surgical co-management alongside ophthalmologists, which can notably enhance their revenue streams.
About the Fitchburg Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,352 | $41.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,966 | $57.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,158 | $70.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,228 | $85.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,814 | $102.31 |
Median Salary Position
4.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fitchburg
In Fitchburg, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,462 (2026 est.). At $147,158, the local median is 4.66% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fitchburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fitchburg Optometrist Pay Compares
Fitchburg median: $147,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fitchburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,046 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +4.66% more |
Optometrists in Fitchburg, WI earn a median of $147,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.66% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $148,046.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fitchburg 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.
Fitchburg, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $147,158 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,557 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$120,615
2025 BLS Actual
$142,927
2026 Current Est.
$147,158
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fitchburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,545 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,086 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,436 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,998 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,927 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,514 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fitchburg metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $120,615 (2019) to $142,927 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,514 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,899 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fitchburg 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) | $85,352 – $118,966 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,966 – $147,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,158 – $177,228 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,228 – $212,814 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fitchburg
Within Fitchburg, only six optometrists are currently employed, reflecting a niche job market that could lead to a more personalized patient base and potentially higher earnings for those committed to building their practices. The cost-of-living index in Fitchburg is at 93.4, suggesting that the relatively lower living expenses can bolster take-home pay and purchasing power for optometrists working here. Among local employers, private optometry practices affiliated with the OD/MD model may offer the highest salaries, especially as residency-trained professionals in ocular disease transition into roles within this framework. Factors influencing salary variation include ownership levels, training specializations, and the impacts of private equity acquisitions on practice management. Aspiring optometrists or those already in the field should consider seeking advanced residencies, negotiating their contract terms, and exploring collaborative practice models to maximize their earning potential in this growing market.
More salary data for Fitchburg, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Fitchburg, WI in 2026?
Is Fitchburg, WI a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Fitchburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Fitchburg?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Fitchburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $142,927 for optometristsin the Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg 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