Optometrist salary in Illinois
Optometrists in Illinois earn a median of $145,620 a year ($70.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $93,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $190,620 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $136,570. Illinois ranks 16th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.25 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $143,720, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,350 | $44.88 |
| 25th percentile | $129,310 | $62.17 |
| Median | $145,620 | $70.01 |
| 75th percentile | $162,650 | $78.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $190,620 | $91.64 |
| Average (mean) | $143,720 | $69.10 |
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 | $12,135 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,067.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,600.77 |
| Weekly | $2,800.38 |
| Hourly | $70.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $166,600 | 50 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $145,630 | 1,160 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $135,090 | 340 |
| Bloomington, IL | $132,740 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $128,890 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for optometrists in Illinois is $145,620 a year, or $70.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $93,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $190,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of optometrists in Illinois earn at least $190,620 a year. The top 25% earn $162,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $93,350 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $129,310 or less.
How many optometrists work in Illinois?
About 1,540 optometrists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.