Optometrist salary in Appleton, WI
Optometrists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $150,060 a year ($72.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,390 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 7% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $139,720. There are 0.45 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $146,880, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,610 | $35.39 |
| 25th percentile | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Median | $150,060 | $72.15 |
| 75th percentile | $180,020 | $86.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,390 | $100.19 |
| Average (mean) | $146,880 | $70.62 |
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 | $12,505 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,252.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,771.54 |
| Weekly | $2,885.77 |
| Hourly | $72.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
| Green Bay, WI | $144,840 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $142,690 | 30 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $132,130 | 210 |
| 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 Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,680 | $41.67 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,350 | $46.32 |
| Pharmacist | $144,630 | $69.53 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $406,080 | $195.23 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Dentists, General | $206,650 | $99.35 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,270 | $61.67 |
| Veterinarian | $105,800 | $50.87 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Chiropractor | $101,410 | $48.76 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,590 | $34.90 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, 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 Appleton, WI?
The median salary for optometrists in the Appleton, WI metro area is $150,060 a year, or $72.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $208,390 a year. The top 25% earn $180,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,610 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $112,450 or less.
How many optometrists work in Appleton, WI?
About 60 optometrists are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.