Optometrist Salary in Janesville, WI: $143,135 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Janesville, WI earns a median $143,135/year (≈ $68.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Janesville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $153,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For optometrists in Janesville, WI, the projected median annual compensation for 2026 is $143,135, slightly above the national median of $140,612. Alongside the average salary, local optometrists can anticipate earning between $83,019 and $214,292, reflecting the diverse opportunities in the field. Factors impacting this salary range include the collaborative OD/MD model, where optometrists co-manage surgical cases, allowing them to earn additional revenue through referrals. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, providing a clear picture of the potential earnings for optometrists in this specific locale.
About the Janesville Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,019 | $39.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,281 | $54.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,135 | $68.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,126 | $84.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,292 | $103.02 |
Median Salary Position
1.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Janesville
In Janesville, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,273 (2026 est.). At $143,135, the local median is 1.79% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Janesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Janesville Optometrist Pay Compares
Janesville median: $143,135/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Janesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,020 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.79% more |
Optometrists in Janesville, WI earn a median of $143,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.79% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $148,020.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Janesville 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.
Janesville, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $143,135 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,318
2025 BLS Actual
$139,020
2026 Current Est.
$143,135
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Janesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,318 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,168 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,843 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,226 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,412 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,135 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Janesville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $117,318 (2019) to $139,020 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,054 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Janesville 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) | $83,019 – $114,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,281 – $143,135 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,135 – $175,126 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,126 – $214,292 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Janesville
With 16 optometrists currently practicing in Janesville, the local job market remains relatively steady. The cost of living index at 93.4 means that the purchasing power of optometrists' salaries is somewhat higher than in areas with a higher cost of living. Employment with ophthalmology practices, especially those utilizing the OD/MD collaborative model, tends to offer more competitive salaries compared to retail optical chains or private practices. Additionally, residency training in ocular disease or specific pathways through the VA can enhance earning potential. Given the recent trends in the industry, optometrists aiming to maximize their salary should consider aligning with practices that emphasize surgical co-management and strategic partnerships with ophthalmologists, thereby capitalizing on existing referral networks.
More salary data for Janesville, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Janesville, WI in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Janesville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Janesville?
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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 $139,020 for optometristsin the Janesville 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 Janesville 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