Optometrist Salary in St. Charles, IL: $134,584 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in St. Charles, IL earns a median $134,584/year (≈ $64.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in St. Charles's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $138,604 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in St. Charles, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $134,584, slightly below the national average of $140,612. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $78,059 and the top 90% making up to $187,592. This data, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicates a competitive market for optometry in St. Charles. Factors such as practice ownership, employment with retail chains, or working as an associate in private practices can heavily influence overall compensation, reflecting a diverse job market that caters to different career paths for new graduates and seasoned professionals.
About the St. Charles Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,059 | $37.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,371 | $51.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,584 | $64.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,798 | $75.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,592 | $90.19 |
Median Salary Position
4.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Charles
In St. Charles, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,533 (2026 est.). At $134,584, the local median is 4.29% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Charles: You'd be above the median
How St. Charles Optometrist Pay Compares
St. Charles median: $134,584/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,495 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.29% less |
Optometrists in St. Charles, IL earn a median of $134,584 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.29% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $136,495.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Charles 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.
St. Charles, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,584 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,604 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,309
2025 BLS Actual
$130,715
2026 Current Est.
$134,584
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,309 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,989 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,971 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,206 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,207 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,212 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,715 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,584 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,568 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Charles metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,309 (2019) to $130,715 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,568 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,259 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Charles 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) | $78,059 – $107,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,371 – $134,584 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,584 – $157,798 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,798 – $187,592 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in St. Charles
The local job market for optometrists in St. Charles is relatively small, with only seven optometrists currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that the purchasing power of these salaries is maximized in relation to local expenses. Among various employers, private optometry practices often provide the highest compensation, especially for those with residency training in ocular disease or who practice under an OD/MD model. This is contrasted with retail chains, which may offer lower starting salaries but provide stability and predictable hours. To enhance earnings in St. Charles, optometrists should consider pursuing residency training or seeking roles within ophthalmology settings. Being adaptable to evolving national standards and expanding scopes of practice can also play a significant role in salary progression in this vibrant community.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 $130,715 for optometristsin the St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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