Optometrist salary in Madison, WI
Optometrists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $128,220 a year ($61.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,680 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 8% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $139,720. There are 0.24 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $142,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,200 | $49.13 |
| 25th percentile | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Median | $128,220 | $61.65 |
| 75th percentile | $164,310 | $79.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,680 | $94.56 |
| Average (mean) | $142,710 | $68.61 |
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 | $10,685 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,342.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,931.54 |
| Weekly | $2,465.77 |
| Hourly | $61.65 |
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 |
| Appleton, WI | $150,060 | 60 |
| Green Bay, WI | $144,840 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $142,690 | 30 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $132,130 | 210 |
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 Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Pharmacist | $158,120 | $76.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,940 | $145.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,080 | $63.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,890 | $41.78 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,530 | $39.20 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Dentists, General | $176,460 | $84.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $329,670 | $158.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, 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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for optometrists in the Madison, WI metro area is $128,220 a year, or $61.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $196,680 a year. The top 25% earn $164,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,200 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $122,490 or less.
How many optometrists work in Madison, WI?
About 100 optometrists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.