Optometrist Hourly Pay in Joliet, IL: $65.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Joliet, IL runs $65.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,655 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Joliet's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,388 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joliet, Illinois, the projected optometrist hourly pay for 2026 is $65.21, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This rate offers competitive compensation for those in the field, particularly for both part-time optometrists working an average of three days a week and per-diem optometrists who may operate in various settings such as private clinics, retail optical chains, and hospital systems. The hourly pay range is quite diverse, with entry-level optometrists earning around $37.83, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $98.09 hourly. This variance highlights the opportunities available depending on experience and job settings, illustrating how the hourly rates are estimated based on broader annual salary expectations.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.83 | $302.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.10 | $416.78 |
| Median (P50) | $65.21 | $521.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.70 | $637.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98.09 | $784.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Joliet
Based on $65.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.21/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Joliet, IL can expect to earn approximately $135,647 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,258. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Joliet.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Joliet
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,608.59 | $11,304 | $135,647 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,565.16 | $6,782 | $81,388 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,043.44 | $4,522 | $54,259 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Joliet) | $65.21 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Joliet, IL earn a median of $135,655 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.53% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $136,474.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.21/hr = $81,388/year (purchasing power: $83,819).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,647/year (purchasing power: $139,698).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Joliet grew 18.5% from $53.45/hr (2019) to $63.34/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.15/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Joliet
For part-time optometrists working 24 hours a week in Joliet, the financial landscape shifts significantly compared to their full-time counterparts. Those working primarily in per-diem roles, such as fill-in optometrists, can command rates of $500-$800 per day at retail chains and between $700-$1,200 at specialty practices. Residency-trained optometrists focusing on ocular disease may see even higher rates, averaging $90-$130 per hour in hospital settings. In terms of employer types, pay varies, with private practices typically offering certain benefits that might justify lower hourly rates compared to higher pay in a retail setting without benefits. Negotiating within this context can be vital; understanding the worth of experience and the type of employment can empower optometrists to seek the compensation and work-life balance they desire in Joliet, IL.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Joliet. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Joliet is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov