Optometrist salary in Wausau, WI
Optometrists in the Wausau, WI metro area earn a median of $142,690 a year ($68.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,020 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 2% 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 $146,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Wausau, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,270 | $47.72 |
| 25th percentile | $122,350 | $58.82 |
| Median | $142,690 | $68.60 |
| 75th percentile | $177,620 | $85.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,020 | $93.28 |
| Average (mean) | $146,630 | $70.50 |
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 | $11,890.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,945.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,488.08 |
| Weekly | $2,744.04 |
| Hourly | $68.60 |
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 |
| 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 Wausau, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $89,190 | $42.88 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,720 | $62.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $364,260 | $175.12 |
| Dental Hygienist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Pharmacist | $148,740 | $71.51 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,980 | $62.49 |
| Dentists, General | $202,250 | $97.24 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $269,790 | $129.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,030 | $43.28 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,030 | $37.52 |
| Veterinarian | $101,540 | $48.82 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,710 | $20.06 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wausau, 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 Wausau, WI?
The median salary for optometrists in the Wausau, WI metro area is $142,690 a year, or $68.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Wausau, WI?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Wausau, WI metro area earn at least $194,020 a year. The top 25% earn $177,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Wausau, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,270 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $122,350 or less.
How many optometrists work in Wausau, WI?
About 30 optometrists are employed in the Wausau, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.