Optometrist Hourly Pay in Elgin, IL: $71.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Elgin, IL runs $71.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $148,603 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Elgin's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,162 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Elgin, Illinois, earn a median hourly wage of $71.44, which is notably higher than the national average of $67.60. This pay level positions them well within the state, considering that the hourly range extends from $41.44 for entry-level professionals to approximately $108.53 for top earners. Such an hourly rate can make part-time work attractive, especially for those seeking to balance their career with personal commitments. For optometrists working three days a week, this equates to a solid income that can be quite favorable in a variety of settings, including private optometry offices, retail optical outlets, military clinics, and university facilities. As the profession continues to evolve, these hourly figures will help determine both the viability of part-time and per-diem opportunities for optometrists in the area.
About the Elgin 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) | $41.44 | $331.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.14 | $449.15 |
| Median (P50) | $71.44 | $571.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.94 | $703.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.53 | $868.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elgin
Based on $71.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.44/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elgin, IL can expect to earn approximately $148,603 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,733. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elgin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elgin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,857.76 | $12,384 | $148,603 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,714.65 | $7,430 | $89,162 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,143.10 | $4,953 | $59,441 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Elgin) | $71.44 |
| 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 Elgin, IL earn a median of $148,603 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.68% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 8.80% above the Illinois state average of $136,584.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.44/hr = $89,162/year (purchasing power: $91,825).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $148,603/year (purchasing power: $153,042).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$69.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Elgin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $67.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $69.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Elgin grew 18.5% from $58.56/hr (2019) to $69.39/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.56/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 Elgin 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 Elgin
Looking beyond standard employment, per diem optometrists have the potential to earn substantially more on a daily basis. For example, fill-in optometrists might charge between $500 and $800 per day in retail settings, and this can rise to $700 to $1,200 in more specialized settings like OD/MD practices. Those with advanced training in ocular disease can command hourly fees ranging from $90 to $130. Such discrepancies highlight the importance of negotiating pay based on employer type, whether working in private practice, retail chains like Walmart Vision, or through healthcare systems like the VA. For many optometrists, the decision often involves a trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits versus more stable positions with health insurance and retirement plans. Prospective workers should approach negotiations with awareness of their worth, considering both financial compensation and benefits in their total remuneration package in Elgin, IL.
More salary data for Elgin, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Elgin in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Elgin?
Are optometrists in Elgin paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Elgin?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Elgin?
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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 Elgin. 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 Elgin 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