Optometrists Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$93,350
- 25th Percentile — Junior$129,310
- 50th Percentile — Median$145,620
- 75th Percentile — Senior$162,650
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$190,620
Half of Optometrists in Illinois earn more than $145,620. The top 10% make $190,620 or more, while entry-level workers start around $93,350.
Optometrists in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 21st of 51 states for Optometrists pay, at $143,720 per year (1.5% above the U.S. average of $141,550).
- 1,540 people work as Optometrists in Illinois — 3.6% of all U.S. Optometrists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.92: Optometrists jobs are less concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $93,350; the top 10% earn over $190,620.
- Hourly equivalent: $69.1 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $165,120.
- Among healthcare jobs in Illinois, Surgeons All Other pays the most ($372,060).
Optometrists Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Optometrists here earn $143,720 on average, placing the state 21st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $143,720 is roughly equivalent to $136,876 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Vermont ($146,240), Rhode Island ($145,800), District of Columbia ($145,590) are the closest alternatives for Optometrists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Healthcare Jobs in Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Surgeons All Other $372,060/yr Illinois +158.9% vs this role
- Dermatologists $367,430/yr Illinois +155.7% vs this role
- Psychiatrists $269,000/yr Illinois +87.2% vs this role
- Nurse Anesthetists $251,600/yr Illinois +75.1% vs this role
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists $244,730/yr Illinois +70.3% vs this role
- Emergency Medicine Physicians $239,200/yr Illinois +66.4% vs this role
- Radiologists $239,200/yr Illinois +66.4% vs this role
- Family Medicine Physicians $229,370/yr Illinois +59.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Optometrists salary in Illinois?
The average Optometrists salary in Illinois is $143,720 per year (median $145,620), which is 1.5% above the national average of $141,550.
How does Illinois rank for Optometrists pay?
Illinois ranks 21st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($165,120/yr).
How much do entry-level Optometrists make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Optometrists in Illinois earn about $93,350 per year and the 25th percentile is $129,310.
How much do Optometrists make per hour in Illinois?
About $69.1 per hour, based on the $143,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Optometrists work in Illinois?
BLS counts 1,540 Optometrists jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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