Optometrist Salary in Manitowoc, WI: $141,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Manitowoc, WI earns a median $141,564/year (≈ $68.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Manitowoc's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $151,567 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the projected 2026 median annual salary for optometrists stands at $141,564, just slightly above the national average of $140,612. This figure reflects local estimates from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. The salary range for optometrists in this city varies significantly, with the lower end at $83,100 and the upper end reaching up to $203,099. In this market, optometrists have various employment paths, from ownership in private practices to positions within retail chains, which can influence overall compensation. The choice between these structural models can play a critical role in determining salary levels and overall career satisfaction in Manitowoc's healthcare environment.
About the Manitowoc Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,348 | $55.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,564 | $68.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,124 | $82.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,099 | $97.65 |
Median Salary Position
0.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manitowoc
In Manitowoc, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,999 (2026 est.). At $141,564, the local median is 0.68% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manitowoc: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manitowoc Optometrist Pay Compares
Manitowoc median: $141,564/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manitowoc Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,079 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.68% more |
Optometrists in Manitowoc, WI earn a median of $141,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.68% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.40% below the Wisconsin state average of $148,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manitowoc 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.
Manitowoc, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $141,564 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,567 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,030
2025 BLS Actual
$137,494
2026 Current Est.
$141,564
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Manitowoc (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,849 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,141 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,124 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,494 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manitowoc metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,030 (2019) to $137,494 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,724 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manitowoc 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) | $83,100 – $116,348 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,348 – $141,564 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,564 – $172,124 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,124 – $203,099 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Manitowoc
With only nine optometrists currently employed in the area, the job market in Manitowoc remains relatively small yet stable. The cost-of-living index sits at 93.4, indicating that residents benefit from a lower cost of living compared to the national average, enhancing their purchasing power. Salaries for optometrists vary based on employment type, with retail optical chains generally offering lower compensation compared to private practices or ophthalmology collaborations. Factors such as practice ownership, the presence of residency-trained professionals, and the complexity of clinical scenarios can all drive wage disparities. To maximize pay in Manitowoc, optometrists should consider aligning themselves with practices that have diverse patient bases, seek out collaborations with ophthalmology to enhance revenue streams, and potentially pursue further specialization to increase their marketability within this unique healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Manitowoc, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Manitowoc?
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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 $137,494 for optometristsin the Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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