Optometrist Salary in Oak Creek, WI: $141,851 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Oak Creek, WI earns a median $141,851/year (≈ $68.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Oak Creek's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $151,875 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Creek, Wisconsin, the projected median annual optometrist salary for 2026 is $141,851, slightly exceeding the national median of $140,612. This competitive compensation aligns well with the expanding scope of practice in the state, which allows optometrists to manage glaucoma, prescribe oral medications, and perform specific laser procedures. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $83,736 at the 10th percentile to $209,081 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse work environments available to practitioners. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost assessments, highlighting how the local job market offers a promising landscape for optometrists looking to thrive in Oak Creek.
About the Oak Creek Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,736 | $40.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,930 | $56.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,851 | $68.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,809 | $83.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,081 | $100.52 |
Median Salary Position
0.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Creek
In Oak Creek, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,345 (2026 est.). At $141,851, the local median is 0.88% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Creek Optometrist Pay Compares
Oak Creek median: $141,851/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,070 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.88% more |
Optometrists in Oak Creek, WI earn a median of $141,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.88% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $148,070.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Creek 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.
Oak Creek, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $141,851 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,875 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,265
2025 BLS Actual
$137,773
2026 Current Est.
$141,851
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Oak Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,265 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,395 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,696 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,022 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,359 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,773 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,851 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,050 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Creek metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,265 (2019) to $137,773 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,050 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,785 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Creek 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) | $83,736 – $116,930 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,930 – $141,851 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,851 – $172,809 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,809 – $209,081 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Oak Creek
Job prospects for optometrists in Oak Creek reflect a relatively small but established market, with five optometrists currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index of 93.4 suggests that living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of optometrist pay in Oak Creek, WI. Among potential employers, private optometry practices historically offer the highest salaries, particularly for those with residency training in ocular disease or working in OD/MD models that leverage surgical referral revenue. The pay disparity between different employment settings is significant; private equity acquisitions of practices can affect compensation packages, influencing everything from practice ownership equity to terms of post-acquisition employment. For those looking to maximize their pay in Oak Creek, aligning with practices that invest in advanced training and pursuing roles that leverage the full range of optometric services will be beneficial.
More salary data for Oak Creek, 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 $137,773 for optometristsin the Oak Creek 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 Oak Creek 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