Optometrist Salary in Green Bay, WI: $149,127 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Green Bay, WI earns a median $149,127/year (≈ $71.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Green Bay's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $160,203 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, the median annual salary for optometrists is projected to be $149,127 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $140,612, which reflects a positive trend in local optometrist pay relative to national standards. The salary range showcases significant variation, spanning from $52,324 at the 10th percentile to $226,378 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse compensation opportunities based on experience, practice type, and additional responsibilities. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlight not only the competitive nature of optometry salaries in the area but also the growing demand for optometric services, especially in models where optical care intersects with surgical co-management revenues.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,324 | $25.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,468 | $48.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,127 | $71.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,166 | $88.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,378 | $108.84 |
Median Salary Position
6.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Green Bay
In Green Bay, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $174,054 (2026 est.). At $149,127, the local median is 6.06% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Green Bay: You'd be above the median
How Green Bay Optometrist Pay Compares
Green Bay median: $149,127/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Green Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,091 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +6.06% more |
Optometrists in Green Bay, WI earn a median of $149,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.06% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $148,091.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Green Bay has a cost of living 6.91% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Green Bay, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.086 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $149,127 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $160,203 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,220
2025 BLS Actual
$144,840
2026 Current Est.
$149,127
2019–2027 Growth
+115.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Green Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,199 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $135,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,127 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Green Bay metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 103.4% from $71,220 (2019) to $144,840 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $82,321 (115.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Green Bay 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) | $52,324 – $100,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,468 – $149,127 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,127 – $183,166 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,166 – $226,378 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Green Bay
Currently, Green Bay hosts around 40 employed optometrists, a workforce that benefits from a cost-of-living index of 93.086, suggesting that salaries can offer relatively strong purchasing power. Employers vary widely, with private optometry practices generally offering higher compensation due to the potential for ownership equity and direct patient relationships, while retail chains and larger healthcare systems may provide more stability and benefits. The compensation spread often reflects the nuances of practice settings; for example, those who participate in OD/MD collaborations tend to enjoy additional revenue streams from surgical referrals, enhancing their overall pay package. To maximize earnings in this market, optometrists may consider pursuing residency training, particularly in areas such as ocular disease, which can lead to higher pay and more specialized opportunities. Additionally, understanding the evolving dynamics of private equity acquisitions can help practitioners position themselves strategically in an increasingly competitive landscape within Green Bay's optometry sector.
More salary data for Green Bay, 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 $144,840 for optometristsin the Green Bay 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, 6-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