Optometrist Salary in Pewaukee, WI: $141,037 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Pewaukee, WI earns a median $141,037/year (≈ $67.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Pewaukee's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $151,003 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, can anticipate a median salary of $141,037 in 2026, a figure that reflects a competitive position in the job market, particularly when compared to the national median of $140,612. The local salary range highlights significant earning potential, with entry-level positions starting at $81,802 and experienced optometrists earning up to $189,827. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost differences and provide insight into an evolving employment structure. As the landscape shifts towards small private practices, retail chains, and evolving clinical models, optometrists can find varying levels of compensation based on their employment choices and practice management.
About the Pewaukee Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,802 | $39.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,853 | $54.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,037 | $67.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,359 | $79.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,827 | $91.26 |
Median Salary Position
0.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pewaukee
In Pewaukee, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,025 (2026 est.). At $141,037, the local median is 0.3% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Pewaukee: You'd be above the median
How Pewaukee Optometrist Pay Compares
Pewaukee median: $141,037/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pewaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,992 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.30% more |
Optometrists in Pewaukee, WI earn a median of $141,037 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.30% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,992.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pewaukee 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.
Pewaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $141,037 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,003 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,598
2025 BLS Actual
$136,982
2026 Current Est.
$141,037
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pewaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,598 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,406 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,675 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,969 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,258 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,692 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,037 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,211 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pewaukee metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $115,598 (2019) to $136,982 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,211 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,613 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pewaukee 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) | $81,802 – $113,853 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,853 – $141,037 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,037 – $165,359 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,359 – $189,827 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Pewaukee
The job market for optometrists in Pewaukee currently employs four professionals, which indicates a small but potentially robust market contingent on local demand and practice ownership dynamics. The cost-of-living index in Pewaukee stands at 93.4, suggesting that salaries may stretch further than in higher-cost areas, enhancing take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, private practices often offer better compensation compared to retail chains, particularly for those with advanced training or a successful partnership model that shares revenue from surgical referrals. Factors contributing to variations in optometrist pay include the level of ownership equity, advanced residency training, and whether one works in collaboration with ophthalmologists in a model that encourages shared revenue. For those entering the field or considering a transition, focusing on acquiring additional certifications and building a network within the community can significantly enhance salary prospects in this Wisconsin market.
More salary data for Pewaukee, 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 $136,982 for optometristsin the Pewaukee 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 Pewaukee 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