Optometrist Salary in Onalaska, WI: $183,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Onalaska, WI earns a median $183,440/year (≈ $88.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $196,403 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Onalaska, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary projected at $183,440 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation structure driven in part by the state's expanded scope of practice, which includes managing glaucoma and prescribing oral medications. The anticipated salary range for this role spans from $106,395 at the 10th percentile to as much as $247,257 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a broad spectrum of earning potential based on experience, education, and practice setting. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, emphasizing Onalaska's robust job market for optometrists amidst a supportive healthcare environment focused on comprehensive eye care.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,395 | $51.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $155,240 | $74.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $183,440 | $88.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $210,857 | $101.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,257 | $118.88 |
Median Salary Position
30.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,862 (2026 est.). At $183,440, the local median is 30.46% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be above the median
How Onalaska Optometrist Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $183,440/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,055 | +23.90% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +30.46% more |
Optometrists in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $183,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.46% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 23.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $148,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska 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.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $183,440 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $196,403 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$150,352
2025 BLS Actual
$178,166
2026 Current Est.
$183,440
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $150,352 | Actual |
| 2020 | $154,005 | Actual |
| 2021 | $162,159 | Actual |
| 2022 | $163,842 | Actual |
| 2023 | $172,021 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $178,166 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $183,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $188,870 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $150,352 (2019) to $178,166 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $188,870 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,518 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $106,395 – $155,240 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $155,240 – $183,440 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $183,440 – $210,857 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $210,857 – $247,257 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Onalaska
In Onalaska, employment levels remain modest with around four optometrists practicing in the area, contributing to a stable job market despite the lower cost-of-living index of 93.4. Those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Onalaska, WI, should consider working in private optometry settings or eye clinics that integrate ocular surgery and residency-trained professionals to attract higher compensation. Retail optical chains might offer competitive salaries, but the best payment opportunities typically reside within private ophthalmology practices or specialized vision care centers, which often provide revenue-sharing arrangements for surgical referrals. Strategies for improving earnings could include pursuing specialty training, developing a personal brand, or exploring partnerships with existing practices to leverage the benefits of practice ownership, all while considering the evolving landscape of optometry post-acquisition by private equity firms.
More salary data for Onalaska, 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 $178,166 for optometristsin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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