Optometrist Salary in Racine, WI: $146,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Racine, WI earns a median $146,042/year (≈ $70.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Racine's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $156,362 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Racine, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $146,042 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $140,612. The salary range varies significantly, from $85,642 at the 10th percentile to as high as $218,737 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied employment structures in this market. Many optometrists operate within the framework of private practices, while others may be part of larger retail chains or ophthalmology centers. The choice of practice model greatly influences compensation as well as the operational dynamics within Racine's healthcare setting, providing distinct advantages and challenges for each path.
About the Racine Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,642 | $41.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,078 | $57.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,042 | $70.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,186 | $86.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,737 | $105.16 |
Median Salary Position
3.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,095 (2026 est.). At $146,042, the local median is 3.86% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Optometrist Pay Compares
Racine median: $146,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,965 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.86% more |
Optometrists in Racine, WI earn a median of $146,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.86% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine 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.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $146,042 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,362 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,700
2025 BLS Actual
$141,843
2026 Current Est.
$146,042
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,608 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,099 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,439 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,951 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,797 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,843 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,700 (2019) to $141,843 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,664 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $85,642 – $120,078 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,078 – $146,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,042 – $179,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,186 – $218,737 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Racine
With 13 optometrists currently working in the Racine area, the local job market remains stable, though somewhat constrained given the relatively low number of practitioners. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 93.4, making it more affordable than the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of optometrists’ salaries. Among the different employment options available, private optometry practices, particularly those that have resisted acquisition by larger conglomerates, tend to offer more competitive compensation. The disparity in pay between practice ownership and employed positions often comes down to factors such as the share of surgical revenue associated with the OD/MD model or the impact of residency training on earning potential. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Racine, specializing in high-demand areas like glaucoma management or collaborating closely with local ophthalmologists might be effective strategies.
More salary data for Racine, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Racine?
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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 $141,843 for optometristsin the Racine 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 Racine 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