Optometrist Salary in River Falls, WI: $139,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in River Falls, WI earns a median $139,479/year (≈ $67.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $149,335 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for optometrists is $139,479 for 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $140,612. The salary range local optometrists can expect is quite broad, from $80,898 at the 10th percentile to $198,240 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels. The increase in remuneration also reflects the growing importance of surgical co-management in the OD/MD model, which enhances revenue opportunities and can lead to higher earnings for those who collaborate with ophthalmologists in surgical cases.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,898 | $38.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,145 | $55.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,479 | $67.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,660 | $80.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,240 | $95.31 |
Median Salary Position
0.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,342 (2026 est.). At $139,479, the local median is 0.81% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be above the median
How River Falls Optometrist Pay Compares
River Falls median: $139,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $148,067 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.81% less |
Optometrists in River Falls, WI earn a median of $139,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.81% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $148,067.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River 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.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $139,479 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,335 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,321
2025 BLS Actual
$135,469
2026 Current Est.
$139,479
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,321 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,098 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,298 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,578 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,797 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,413 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,469 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,321 (2019) to $135,469 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,286 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River 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) | $80,898 – $116,145 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,145 – $139,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,479 – $166,660 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,660 – $198,240 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in River Falls
The local optometric job market in River Falls employs five optometrists, indicating a small but potentially stable community for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, professionals in this area enjoy a more affordable lifestyle, which positively influences their take-home pay. Within River Falls, private practices often offer higher pay than retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, particularly for those offering specialty services or operating under the OD/MD model. Factors such as practice ownership, training in ocular disease, and the terms following acquisitions by private equity can significantly affect salary variations. For optometrists seeking to maximize pay in River Falls, specializing in areas with increasing demand and pursuing residency training can be effective strategies, as can building strong referral networks within the community.
More salary data for River Falls, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in River Falls?
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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 $135,469 for optometristsin the River 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 River 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