Optometrist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Optometrists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $132,130 a year ($63.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,050 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 5% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $139,720. There are 0.26 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $141,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,030 | $36.07 |
| 25th percentile | $113,620 | $54.63 |
| Median | $132,130 | $63.52 |
| 75th percentile | $163,620 | $78.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,050 | $99.54 |
| Average (mean) | $141,320 | $67.94 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,010.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,505.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,081.92 |
| Weekly | $2,540.96 |
| Hourly | $63.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $132,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $175,810 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $159,790 | 470 |
| Appleton, WI | $150,060 | 60 |
| Green Bay, WI | $144,840 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $142,690 | 30 |
| Madison, WI | $128,220 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Physicians, All Other | $411,200 | $197.69 |
| Pharmacist | $153,340 | $73.72 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,030 | $49.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,350 | $64.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,020 | $45.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,040 | $64.92 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Dentists, General | $155,940 | $74.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Veterinarian | $117,780 | $56.62 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,350 | $138.15 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for optometrists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $132,130 a year, or $63.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $207,050 a year. The top 25% earn $163,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,030 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $113,620 or less.
How many optometrists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 210 optometrists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.