Optometrist Salary in Madison, WI: $132,015 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Madison, WI earns a median $132,015/year (≈ $63.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $135,696 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Madison, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $132,015, reflecting the competitive nature of the local market for eye care professionals. Salary ranges in this field vary significantly, with estimates indicating a low of $105,225 at the 10th percentile and highs reaching $202,502 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight essential considerations for optometrists when deciding between practice ownership, working as employed associates, or engaging with retail chain establishments. Given the financial implications of each employment structure, understanding local compensation rates is crucial for any optometrist in Madison.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,225 | $50.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,116 | $60.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,015 | $63.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,174 | $81.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,502 | $97.36 |
Median Salary Position
6.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,277 (2026 est.). At $132,015, the local median is 6.11% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Optometrist Pay Compares
Madison median: $132,015/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,999 | -10.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.11% less |
Optometrists in Madison, WI earn a median of $132,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 10.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,999.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $132,015 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,696 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,800
2025 BLS Actual
$128,220
2026 Current Est.
$132,015
2019–2027 Growth
+43.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,015 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 35.3% from $94,800 (2019) to $128,220 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,123 (43.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $105,225 – $126,116 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,116 – $132,015 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,015 – $169,174 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,174 – $202,502 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Madison
In this vibrant market, there are currently around 100 optometrists employed in Madison, WI, which contributes to a steady demand for eye care services. The cost of living index in Madison stands at 97.287, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local optometrists. Among various employer types, private optometry practices generally offer the most competitive pay, driven by factors such as practice ownership equity, which can significantly influence income. Additionally, those working alongside ophthalmologists in OD/MD models or those with advanced residency training in ocular disease may command higher salaries due to their specialized skill set. To maximize earnings in Madison, optometrists might consider options such as pursuing residency training, targeting private practices over retail chains, or negotiating terms that leverage any surgical referral revenue share opportunities made available through partnerships with ophthalmologists.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Madison?
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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 $128,220 for optometristsin the Madison 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, 7-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