Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Optometrists salary really buy you in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is 7.7% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Wisconsin's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 92.3, meaning prices are 7.7% lower the national average. A Optometrists earning $139,720 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $151,375 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $75,390 | $81,679 | +$6,289 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $113,620 | $123,098 | +$9,478 |
| Median (P50) | $139,720 | $151,375 | +$11,655 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $171,280 | $185,568 | +$14,288 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $203,670 | $220,660 | +$16,990 |
A Optometrists in Wisconsin earns $139,720 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $151,375 in an average-cost state. This makes Wisconsin one of the best value states for this occupation.
Wisconsin's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 92.3 means a basket of goods and services costs about 7.7% less than the national average. For a Optometrists, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
After applying Wisconsin's RPP, the $139,720 median salary translates to $151,376 in real terms — a 8.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Optometrists.
Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Optometrists, Wisconsin places #11 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.
Where does Optometrists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Wisconsin ranks #11 out of 51 states for Optometrists after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Optometrists take-home pay in Wisconsin after taxes →
A Optometrists in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $139,720 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $151,375 — a +8.3% difference.
Wisconsin's cost of living is 7.7% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Wisconsin is 92.3 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Optometrists in Wisconsin: $139,720 x (100 / 92.3) = $151,375. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Optometrists in Wisconsin enjoys 8.3% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.