Optometrist Salary in La Crosse, WI: $181,014 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in La Crosse, WI earns a median $181,014/year (≈ $87.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $197,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, the projected optometrist salary for 2026 reaches an impressive $181,014, significantly outpacing the national median of $140,612 by approximately 28.73%. This competitive compensation reflects the state's broad scope of practice, allowing optometrists to manage glaucoma, prescribe oral medications, and perform select laser procedures. With a salary range extending from $113,802 at the 10th percentile to $230,775 at the 90th percentile, the financial opportunities for optometrists in La Crosse are substantial. These figures are derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, projected for 2026, indicating a healthy job market for the profession amidst a growing demand for optometry services in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,802 | $54.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,919 | $64.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $181,014 | $87.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $202,811 | $97.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,775 | $110.95 |
Median Salary Position
28.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,973 (2026 est.). At $181,014, the local median is 28.73% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be above the median
How La Crosse Optometrist Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $181,014/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,008 | +22.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +28.73% more |
Optometrists in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $181,014 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.73% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 22.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $148,008.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $181,014 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $197,250 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$148,364
2025 BLS Actual
$175,810
2026 Current Est.
$181,014
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $148,364 | Actual |
| 2020 | $151,969 | Actual |
| 2021 | $160,015 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $170,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $175,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $181,014 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $186,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $148,364 (2019) to $175,810 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $186,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,008 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $113,802 – $134,919 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,919 – $181,014 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $181,014 – $202,811 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $202,811 – $230,775 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in La Crosse
The job market for optometrists in La Crosse consists of approximately 40 practitioners, contributing to the local healthcare landscape. With a cost of living index of 91.769, residents enjoy a lower cost of living compared to national averages, enhancing the effective purchasing power of their salaries. Among local employers, private optometry practices often offer the highest pay, particularly those that integrate surgical referrals under an OD/MD model. The pay disparities can often be attributed to practice ownership equity, residency training, and whether the position is with a retail chain versus a private practice setting. To maximize compensation, optometrists in La Crosse should consider enhancing their skills through residency training, exploring ownership opportunities, or negotiating pay structures with an emphasis on collaboration with ophthalmic specialists in the area. This strategic approach can help navigate the evolving market demands and elevate overall earnings.
More salary data for La Crosse, 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 $175,810 for optometristsin the La Crosse 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, 4-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