Optometrist Salary in Sun Prairie, WI: $143,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Sun Prairie, WI earns a median $143,827/year (≈ $69.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Sun Prairie's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $153,990 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $143,827, positioning them above the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $83,419 at the 10th percentile to $210,386 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflect not just direct optometric services but also the potential for revenue generation through surgical co-management with ophthalmologists, adding a significant income stream for many practitioners. As the job market evolves, Sun Prairie's specific economic context reveals opportunities for optometrists to leverage both private practice and emerging practice models to enhance their compensation.
About the Sun Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,419 | $40.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,970 | $58.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,827 | $69.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,672 | $83.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,386 | $101.15 |
Median Salary Position
2.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sun Prairie
In Sun Prairie, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,967 (2026 est.). At $143,827, the local median is 2.29% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sun Prairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sun Prairie Optometrist Pay Compares
Sun Prairie median: $143,827/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sun Prairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,970 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.29% more |
Optometrists in Sun Prairie, WI earn a median of $143,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.29% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,970.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sun Prairie 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.
Sun Prairie, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $143,827 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,990 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,885
2025 BLS Actual
$139,692
2026 Current Est.
$143,827
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,749 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,142 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,461 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,874 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,692 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sun Prairie metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $117,885 (2019) to $139,692 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,199 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sun Prairie 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) | $83,419 – $120,970 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,970 – $143,827 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,827 – $174,672 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,672 – $210,386 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Sun Prairie
Currently, Sun Prairie employs nine optometrists, and while this may seem modest, it offers a stable job market for those seeking opportunities in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, the financial landscape enables optometrists to retain a greater purchasing power relative to the national average. In terms of salary variation, private practices, especially those offering a surgical referral revenue model, tend to pay more than retail optical chains. Factors contributing to the disparity in earnings include ownership equity, training in ocular disease, and practice affiliations with larger healthcare systems. Maximizing pay in Sun Prairie often involves seeking roles that capitalize on advanced certifications or specializing in areas like glaucoma management and minor surgical procedures. Engaging with leading employers, whether they’re specialty clinics or integrated healthcare systems, could further enhance the potential for higher earnings.
More salary data for Sun Prairie, 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 $139,692 for optometristsin the Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie 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