Optometrist Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $65.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Rockford, IL runs $65.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,423 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,260 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, those in the optometry field can expect an hourly median pay of $65.11 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $67.60. This hourly rate is relevant for various working styles, allowing part-time optometrists, who may work three days a week, to earn a competitive income while enjoying a flexible schedule. As the profession encompasses diverse settings such as private practice, retail optical chains, hospital systems, and VA clinics, hourly earnings can range from $37.77 for entry-level positions to nearly $99.95 for top earners. The data on hourly rates is derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the profession's role in areas like managing vision health through comprehensive examinations and treatments.
About the Rockford 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) | $37.77 | $302.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.88 | $415.05 |
| Median (P50) | $65.11 | $520.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.92 | $647.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.95 | $799.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $65.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.11/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $135,433 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,134. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,604.48 | $11,286 | $135,433 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,562.69 | $6,772 | $81,260 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,041.79 | $4,514 | $54,173 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Rockford) | $65.11 |
| 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 Rockford, IL earn a median of $135,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.69% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% below the Illinois state average of $136,515.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.11/hr = $81,260/year (purchasing power: $83,687).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,433/year (purchasing power: $139,478).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Rockford grew 18.5% from $53.37/hr (2019) to $63.24/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.04/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
Examining the financial implications for those working part-time or as per diem optometrists in Rockford, a 3-day workweek (approximately 24 hours) could yield a significant paycheck, although it may still fall short compared to full-time salaries. Many per diem optometrists often invoice between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains or can see earnings climbing to $700 to $1,200 per day within OD/MD practices. In Rockford, varying hourly rates across employer types highlight the potential trade-offs. Optometrists working in private practices may receive lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while those in retail settings might enjoy higher pay without additional perks. Those negotiating hourly pay should emphasize specialized skills, especially in an evolving scope of practice that includes glaucoma management and minor surgical procedures, providing a pathway to lucrative opportunities in the region.
More salary data for Rockford, 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
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 Rockford. 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 Rockford 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