Optometrist Hourly Pay in Romeoville, IL: $62.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Romeoville, IL runs $62.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,685 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Romeoville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,407 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Romeoville, Illinois, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $62.83 in 2026, slightly lower than the national hourly median of $67.60. This rate offers viable earnings for part-time and per-diem workers, including those operating in various settings like independent optometry clinics, retail optical chains, and health facilities associated with universities or veterans affairs. For an optometrist working three days a week, translating this hourly wage to a part-time schedule could allow for a substantial income, especially given the flexibility many prefer. The range for hourly pay varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $36.96, escalating to $90.23 for experienced professionals at the top of their field. These estimations derive from anticipated annual salary projections, reflecting the dynamics of the healthcare workforce in the area.
About the Romeoville 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) | $36.96 | $295.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.70 | $413.57 |
| Median (P50) | $62.83 | $502.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.10 | $600.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.23 | $721.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Romeoville
Based on $62.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.83/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Romeoville, IL can expect to earn approximately $130,678 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,391. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Romeoville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Romeoville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,513.05 | $10,890 | $130,678 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,507.83 | $6,534 | $78,407 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,005.22 | $4,356 | $52,271 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Romeoville) | $62.83 |
| 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 Romeoville, IL earn a median of $130,685 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.06% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.30% below the Illinois state average of $136,557.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.83/hr = $78,407/year (purchasing power: $80,749).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,678/year (purchasing power: $134,581).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Romeoville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Romeoville grew 18.5% from $51.49/hr (2019) to $61.02/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.69/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 Romeoville 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 Romeoville
A part-time optometrist in Romeoville working 24 hours per week could expect to take home around $78,500 annually compared to their full-time counterparts, underscoring the potential earnings disparity. Per-diem and agency optometrists often see different pay structures, billing between $500 to $800 per day in retail environments and higher rates in specialized practices, such as $700 to $1,200 in OD/MD settings. While hourly wages vary across employer types—from private practices to larger retail chains—there can be a trade-off in benefits versus hourly pay. Some optometrists may opt for lower hourly rates to secure health insurance and other benefits provided by full-time roles. Meanwhile, effective negotiation strategies in Romeoville can enhance pay; highlighting experience, unique skill sets like residency training, and demonstrating market demand can help in achieving competitive rates. With the evolving scope of practice in optometry, qualifying for higher compensation in a segmented market is attainable, making it a crucial consideration for both new and established practitioners.
More salary data for Romeoville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Romeoville in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Romeoville?
Are optometrists in Romeoville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Romeoville?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Romeoville?
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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 Romeoville. 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 Romeoville 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