Optometrist Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $131,995 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $131,995/year (≈ $63.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $135,937 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, IL, optometrists are expected to earn a median annual salary of $131,995 in 2026. This competitive figure falls slightly below the national median for the profession, which is projected to be $140,612. The salary range in this area varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $76,557, while experienced optometrists can make up to $192,735. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, reflect the dynamics of practice ownership and employment models in Des Plaines, where professionals can choose between working in retail chains, private practices, or integrated care within ophthalmology. This environment influences local salary expectations and contributes to a diverse job market for optometrists.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,557 | $36.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,460 | $49.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,995 | $63.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,569 | $76.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,735 | $92.66 |
Median Salary Position
6.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,178 (2026 est.). At $131,995, the local median is 6.13% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Optometrist Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $131,995/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,499 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.13% less |
Optometrists in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $131,995 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $136,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,995 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,937 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,187
2025 BLS Actual
$128,200
2026 Current Est.
$131,995
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,187 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,815 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,682 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,893 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,779 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,727 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,995 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,902 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,187 (2019) to $128,200 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,715 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $76,557 – $102,460 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,460 – $131,995 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,995 – $158,569 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,569 – $192,735 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Des Plaines
The job market for optometrists in Des Plaines consists of 12 practitioners who benefit from a below-average cost-of-living index of 97.1, enhancing their buying power compared to other regions. Among various employment options, private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics typically provide the highest wages, especially for those with residency training in ocular disease or specialties such as glaucoma management. Factors that drive the disparity in salaries include practice ownership equity, the operational model (OD/MD collaborations), and the influence of larger retail chains acquiring local practices. To maximize compensation in Des Plaines, optometrists should consider focusing on residency training to boost their marketability and exploring opportunities within higher-paying healthcare systems and private practices, thus positioning themselves advantageously in this evolving landscape of eye care.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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
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 $128,200 for optometristsin the Des Plaines 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
Salary data for Des Plaines 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