Optometrist Salary in Menomonee Falls, WI: $145,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Menomonee Falls, WI earns a median $145,872/year (≈ $70.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Menomonee Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $156,180 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, the landscape for optometrists reflects a promising financial outlook, with a 2026 median annual salary projected at $145,872. This figure is notably above the national median of $140,612, indicating a strong compensation structure in the region. Optometrists in this area can expect a salary range from $84,605 at the 10th percentile to $203,620 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse pay spectrum. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations, reveal how the local scope of practice—encompassing advanced procedures in glaucoma management and use of oral medications—contributes to the overall compensation. Such responsibilities align with the growing demand for extensive care in optometry, allowing practitioners in Menomonee Falls to effectively capitalize on their skills in a competitive job market.
About the Menomonee Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,605 | $40.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,333 | $55.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,872 | $70.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,914 | $83.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,620 | $97.89 |
Median Salary Position
3.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Menomonee Falls
In Menomonee Falls, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,015 (2026 est.). At $145,872, the local median is 3.74% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Menomonee Falls: You'd be above the median
How Menomonee Falls Optometrist Pay Compares
Menomonee Falls median: $145,872/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Menomonee Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,093 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.74% more |
Optometrists in Menomonee Falls, WI earn a median of $145,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.74% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $148,093.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Menomonee Falls 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.
Menomonee Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $145,872 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,180 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$119,561
2025 BLS Actual
$141,678
2026 Current Est.
$145,872
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Menomonee Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,561 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,465 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,949 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,287 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,792 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,657 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,678 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Menomonee Falls metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,561 (2019) to $141,678 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,628 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Menomonee Falls 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) | $84,605 – $116,333 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,333 – $145,872 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,872 – $173,914 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,914 – $203,620 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Menomonee Falls
Analyzing the optometrist pay in Menomonee Falls, WI, reveals a small but established workforce with only 10 optometrists employed locally. The cost of living index, standing at 93.4, suggests that salaries here offer a healthier purchasing power compared to many areas. In this market, private optometry practices often provide the highest salaries, particularly those that have managed to maintain full practice ownership or operate under an OD/MD model, allowing them to benefit from revenue-sharing agreements on surgical referrals. Conversely, retail optical chains may offer more consistent but potentially lower salaries. Factors such as the employment terms under private equity ownership can significantly affect earning potential as practices transition, impacting local pay scales. Optometrists looking to maximize their income in Menomonee Falls should consider pursuing residency training, particularly in ocular disease or within the VA system, that provides advanced qualifications. Further, establishing relationships with local insurance companies can also enhance patient flow and profitability.
More salary data for Menomonee Falls, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Menomonee Falls, WI in 2026?
Is Menomonee Falls, WI a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Menomonee Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Menomonee Falls?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Menomonee Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $141,678 for optometristsin the Menomonee Falls 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 Menomonee Falls 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