Optometrist Salary in Bloomington, IL: $136,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bloomington, IL earns a median $136,669/year (≈ $65.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $146,112 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Bloomington, IL, can expect a median annual income of $136,669 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $140,612. The earnings distribution ranges from $103,907 at the lower end (P10) to $167,022 at the higher end (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, illustrates the potential income for those practicing in this market. Factors such as practice ownership, employment within retail chains, and private practice settings significantly influence compensation levels. Understanding these dynamics is essential for professionals contemplating their optometrist pay in Bloomington.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,907 | $49.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,760 | $62.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,669 | $65.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,022 | $80.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,022 | $80.30 |
Median Salary Position
2.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,115 (2026 est.). At $136,669, the local median is 2.8% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be above the median
How Bloomington Optometrist Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $136,669/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,533 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.80% less |
Optometrists in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $136,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.80% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $136,533.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,669 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,112 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,420
2025 BLS Actual
$132,740
2026 Current Est.
$136,669
2019–2027 Growth
+7.9%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,739 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,068 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,715 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 1.8% from $130,420 (2019) to $132,740 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,715 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,295 (7.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $103,907 – $129,760 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,760 – $136,669 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,669 – $167,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,022 – $167,022 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bloomington
With approximately 40 optometrists currently employed in the Bloomington area, the local job market appears stable and presents opportunities for growth at an annual rate of 2.96%. The cost of living index in Bloomington stands at 93.537, suggesting that the purchasing power of an optometrist's salary is relatively strong compared to national averages. Retail chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision offer competitive pay; however, private practices can potentially provide higher compensation, particularly for those who are residency-trained or involved in the OD/MD model. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity and the structure of employment contracts in private-equity-owned practices. Optometrists looking to maximize their earnings may find it advantageous to pursue specialty training or to consider partnership opportunities in private practices, thus expanding their scope of services and enhancing their marketability in Bloomington.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Bloomington, IL in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Bloomington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Bloomington?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $132,740 for optometristsin the Bloomington metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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