Optometrist Salary in Oshkosh, WI: $145,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Oshkosh, WI earns a median $145,913/year (≈ $70.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Oshkosh's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $156,224 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 stands at $145,913, reflecting a competitive pay structure compared to the national median of $140,612. Salary ranges for optometrists in this area vary significantly, from $85,361 at the 10th percentile to as much as $209,393 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, offer insights into the local market. The dynamics of practice ownership versus employment, either in retail chains or private practices, can considerably influence compensation in Oshkosh, as optometrists assess their professional paths amidst growing competition and changing market structures.
About the Oshkosh Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,361 | $41.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,819 | $57.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,913 | $70.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,089 | $83.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,393 | $100.67 |
Median Salary Position
3.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oshkosh
In Oshkosh, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,032 (2026 est.). At $145,913, the local median is 3.77% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oshkosh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oshkosh Optometrist Pay Compares
Oshkosh median: $145,913/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oshkosh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,985 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.77% more |
Optometrists in Oshkosh, WI earn a median of $145,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.77% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,985.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oshkosh 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.
Oshkosh, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $145,913 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,224 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,720
2025 BLS Actual
$141,718
2026 Current Est.
$145,913
2019–2027 Growth
+62.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Oshkosh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,691 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,718 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oshkosh metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 52.8% from $92,720 (2019) to $141,718 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,512 (62.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oshkosh 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) | $85,361 – $119,819 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,819 – $145,913 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,913 – $173,089 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,089 – $209,393 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Oshkosh
The local job market includes around 17 optometrists employed in Oshkosh, which provides a unique perspective on the regional demand for eye care professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, practitioners can realize better purchasing power compared to higher-cost areas, which enhances overall compensation despite the varying pay scale. Among the employers, private optometry practices may offer higher salaries, particularly those closely aligned with ophthalmology, where optometrists can share in surgical referral revenues. The spread between lower and higher earnings stem from practice ownership equity, differences in employment models, and the influence of advanced training such as residency programs. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Oshkosh, networking within local professional organizations, considering roles in collaborative practice settings, and pursuing additional certifications to enhance their scope of practice can provide pathways to higher compensation.
More salary data for Oshkosh, 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 $141,718 for optometristsin the Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh 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