Optometrist Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $136,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $136,041/year (≈ $65.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $140,340 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the projected median annual compensation for optometrists in 2026 is set at $136,041. This figure reflects a diverse salary range spanning from $77,251 at the 10th percentile to $213,179 at the 90th percentile. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, these numbers highlight the competitive nature of optometrist pay in Milwaukee, WI, particularly as the scope of practice has broadened to include advanced areas such as glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures. The local market is positioned strongly for optometrists, particularly given the collaboration opportunities available with ophthalmologists in the area, which can further influence earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,251 | $37.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,983 | $56.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,041 | $65.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,463 | $80.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,179 | $102.49 |
Median Salary Position
3.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,928 (2026 est.). At $136,041, the local median is 3.25% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee Optometrist Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $136,041/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,032 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.25% less |
Optometrists in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $136,041 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.25% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 8.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $148,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,041 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,340 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,060
2025 BLS Actual
$132,130
2026 Current Est.
$136,041
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $135,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,068 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 13.8% from $116,060 (2019) to $132,130 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,068 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,008 (20.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $77,251 – $116,983 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,983 – $136,041 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,041 – $168,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,463 – $213,179 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Milwaukee
Considering the employment of around 210 optometrists in Milwaukee, the local job market offers some stability despite the cost of living index being slightly below the national average at 96.937. This situation effectively allows for greater purchasing power among practitioners in the area. Among employers, private optometry practices typically offer the highest pay, especially those aligned with ophthalmology practices through OD/MD models, which can facilitate additional income through surgical referrals. At the same time, practices transitioning to private equity ownership might have varying pay structures that could impact take-home earnings. To maximize compensation in this market, strategies might include pursuing residency training focused on ocular disease or enhancing one’s business acumen for ownership opportunities, ultimately enhancing financial prospects in a city with distinct professional opportunities.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $132,130 for optometristsin the Milwaukee 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