Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Quincy, IL: $76,847 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Quincy, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,847 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Quincy's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,142 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($132,496) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Embarking on a career as an optometrist in Quincy, IL, holds certain financial expectations for new graduates. For 2026, the entry-level optometrist salary in Quincy is projected to start at around $76,847, significantly lower than the city median of $132,496. This gap of over $55,000 highlights the common experience for recent graduates, as they begin their careers and gradually build their skills and clientele. With an expected growth trajectory, newcomers can anticipate climbing from the 10th percentile earnings toward the 25th percentile of approximately $108,288 within three to five years, making Quincy a moderately promising market for fresh optometry graduates eager to establish themselves.
About the Quincy Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Quincy
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Quincy
Entry-level optometrists in Quincy, IL typically start between $76,847 and $108,288 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $116,965 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $132,496 — 5.77% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in Illinois of $180,000 represents just 234.23% of the starting optometrist pay ($76,847/year) in Quincy. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOE-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs. Public school OD programs offer lower in-state tuition, while private institutions carry higher out-of-pocket costs. Totals reflect tuition and fees for the 4-year professional program; clinical rotation travel and living costs add to the total cost of attendance.
OD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Quincy
- 1Research the Quincy market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $76,847 to $108,288, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the optometry field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Quincy, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Quincy for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Quincy's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Optometrist Compensation Range
The optometrist wage spread in Quincy is $116,965 ( 152.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,847, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,812.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,017
2025 BLS Actual
$74,638
2026 Current Est.
$76,847
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Quincy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,017 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,562 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,399 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,957 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,779 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,781 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,638 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,847 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,122 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Quincy, IL grew 26.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,017 in 2019 to $74,638 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,122. New graduates entering the Quincy job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Quincy 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.
Starting Your optometry Career in Quincy
In the Quincy area, various employers are keen to recruit new grad optometrists, with retail chains such as LensCrafters and MyEyeDr often offering structured programs that facilitate onboarding. These retail settings generally attract most new graduates, while established OD/MD practices may prefer residency-trained optometrists who have specialized credentials. Continuing education plays a vital role here; obtaining an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution, alongside NBEO Parts I-III and state licensure, elevates one’s marketability and potential starting pay in Illinois. Additionally, certification options such as glaucoma management and other expansions of optometric practice can further enhance prospects. Given the shifting dynamics in employment—with some retail chains consolidating and private practices increasingly seeking associate optometrists willing to invest in the business—the first few years in this field can yield realistic salary growth opportunities, especially for those committed to developing their practice and credentials.
More salary data for Quincy, 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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new optometry graduates. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Quincy. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Quincy 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