Optometrist Salary in West Bend, WI: $145,446 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in West Bend, WI earns a median $145,446/year (≈ $69.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in West Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $155,724 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Bend, Wisconsin, optometrists can expect a 2026 median annual salary of $145,446, slightly above the national figure of $140,612. Local practitioners have a salary range that spans from $84,359 at the lower end to $201,807 at the high end, indicating a competitive job market for this healthcare profession. The compensation varies greatly based on practice structure, as those who own their practices typically garner higher earnings compared to employed associates or those working in retail chain settings. As the industry experiences shifts due to the consolidation of private practices into larger corporate entities, the potential for earning differs significantly depending on the business model employed.
About the West Bend Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,359 | $40.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,471 | $55.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,446 | $69.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,859 | $81.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,807 | $97.02 |
Median Salary Position
3.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Bend
In West Bend, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,448 (2026 est.). At $145,446, the local median is 3.44% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Bend: You'd be above the median
How West Bend Optometrist Pay Compares
West Bend median: $145,446/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,962 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.44% more |
Optometrists in West Bend, WI earn a median of $145,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,962.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Bend 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.
West Bend, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $145,446 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,724 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,212
2025 BLS Actual
$141,265
2026 Current Est.
$145,446
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in West Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,212 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,108 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,573 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,908 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,393 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,309 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,265 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,446 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Bend metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,212 (2019) to $141,265 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,752 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,540 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Bend 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) | $84,359 – $115,471 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,471 – $145,446 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,446 – $169,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,859 – $201,807 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in West Bend
The local job market shows that there are currently five optometrists actively practicing in the West Bend area, reflecting a focused and tightly-knit community. With a cost of living index of 93.4, practitioners find that their earnings allow for a comfortable lifestyle, but it’s essential to consider how local purchasing power impacts take-home pay. Among the different employers, private optometry practices generally offer the most competitive salaries, especially for those who are residency-trained or who work collaboratively in OD/MD models alongside ophthalmologists. The variation in optometrist pay in West Bend, WI, is influenced by numerous factors, including ownership equity in practices, the specific patient care models adopted, and post-acquisition employment structures. For those looking to maximize their compensation, focusing on building a strong local network, pursuing specialty training, and considering roles in established private practices will likely yield the best financial outcomes.
More salary data for West Bend, 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 $141,265 for optometristsin the West Bend 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 West Bend 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