Wisconsin Median
$139,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$67.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $136,570
State Rank
#19 of 51
790 employed here
How much does an Optometrist make in Wisconsin?
Optometrists in Wisconsin take home a median of $139,720 annually — roughly $67.17 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $136,570.
Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $75,390 while the top 10% make $203,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $113,620 and $171,280 a year.
Optometrist salary range in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,390 | $36.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $113,620 | $54.63 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $139,720 | $67.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $171,280 | $82.35 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $203,670 | $97.92 |
|
How Wisconsin compares
Wisconsin ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories for Optometrist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Optometrist salary in other states
Alaska $170,310Maryland $165,840North Carolina $161,560Delaware $161,270New York $161,140New Jersey $159,040Minnesota $158,700Washington $157,560Hawaii $154,620Maine $154,110Colorado $152,000Massachusetts $151,730Florida $151,670Connecticut $150,340South Carolina $145,950Illinois $145,620Alabama $145,090New Mexico $144,660Kansas $138,580Vermont $137,290California $136,300Michigan $135,650Nevada $135,650Indiana $135,500Pennsylvania $135,400Ohio $134,850District of Columbia $134,840Rhode Island $134,520Tennessee $134,170Missouri $133,810North Dakota $132,110Oregon $132,020Virginia $131,570Kentucky $128,860Georgia $128,830Texas $126,000New Hampshire $125,560Iowa $125,380Nebraska $125,040Arkansas $124,470Arizona $122,250Utah $119,070Louisiana $118,060West Virginia $118,010Wyoming $111,400Mississippi $108,070Montana $104,280Idaho $103,390South Dakota $102,320Oklahoma $97,350
Working as an Optometrist in Wisconsin
Nationally, about 43,000 people work as Optometrists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Wisconsin pay ($139,720) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Optometrist make in Wisconsin?
The median Optometrist salary in Wisconsin is $139,720 per year, or about $67.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $75,390 at the entry level to $203,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Optometrists about 2% more than the national median of $136,570. Wisconsin ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Optometrists?
Yes on pay — Wisconsin pays above the national median for this occupation, at $139,720 a year. About 790 Optometrists are employed in Wisconsin. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Optometrist salary report
Related salaries
$100,040
median pay · 4,000 employed
$160,300
median pay · 10,000 employed
$95,780
median pay · 14,000 employed
$97,870
median pay · 183,000 employed
$170,950
median pay · 124,000 employed
$100,330
median pay · 162,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.