Optometrist Salary in Wausau, WI: $146,914 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Wausau, WI earns a median $146,914/year (≈ $70.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $158,567 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Wausau, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $146,914, reflecting the region's competitive market in comparison to the national average of $140,612. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning $102,208, while the upper 10% can make as much as $199,763. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, signal that the optometry field in Wausau benefits from the increasing complexity of eye care, particularly in OD/MD model surgical co-management, which gives practitioners access to diverse revenue streams and enhances overall compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,208 | $49.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,972 | $60.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,914 | $70.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,878 | $87.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,763 | $96.04 |
Median Salary Position
4.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,555 (2026 est.). At $146,914, the local median is 4.48% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Optometrist Pay Compares
Wausau median: $146,914/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,949 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +4.48% more |
Optometrists in Wausau, WI earn a median of $146,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.48% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,949.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $146,914 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $158,567 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,415
2025 BLS Actual
$142,690
2026 Current Est.
$146,914
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,415 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,055 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,914 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $120,415 (2019) to $142,690 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,847 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $102,208 – $125,972 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,972 – $146,914 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,914 – $182,878 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,878 – $199,763 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Wausau
With 30 optometrists currently employed in the area, Wausau's job market presents opportunities, especially in a cost-of-living context where the index stands at 92.651, indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average. This economic environment increases take-home purchasing power for optometrists. High-paying positions are often found in ophthalmology practices that leverage the OD/MD model, where optometrists can benefit from surgical referrals; however, private optometry practices and retail chains also offer competitive salaries. Factors such as practice ownership equity, the experience from residency training, and compensation structures set by private equity acquisitions influence the pay spread, making it imperative for practitioners to seek out opportunities that align with high-demand specialties, such as glaucoma management and advanced ocular disease. Adapting to these market dynamics can significantly improve optometrist pay in Wausau, WI.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Wausau?
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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 $142,690 for optometristsin the Wausau 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, 5-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