Optometrist Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $134,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $134,363/year (≈ $64.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $138,376 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Arlington Heights, Illinois, can expect to earn a median salary of $134,363 in 2026, which reflects a slight deviation from the national average of $140,612, marking a 4.44% lower rate locally. Salary figures show a substantial range for this profession, from approximately $78,243 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $200,901 at the 90th percentile. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that practice structure plays a vital role in optometrist pay Arlington Heights IL. Whether an optometrist operates in a retail chain, is employed as an associate in a private practice, or owns a practice can significantly influence their earnings, with practice ownership generally generating higher salaries in this competitive market.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,243 | $37.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,063 | $52.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,363 | $64.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,238 | $78.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,901 | $96.59 |
Median Salary Position
4.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,658 (2026 est.). At $134,363, the local median is 4.44% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Optometrist Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $134,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,548 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.44% less |
Optometrists in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $134,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.44% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $136,548.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights 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.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,363 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,376 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,128
2025 BLS Actual
$130,500
2026 Current Est.
$134,363
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,128 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,803 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,775 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,008 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,999 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,001 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,340 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,128 (2019) to $130,500 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,340 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,212 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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) | $78,243 – $110,063 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,063 – $134,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,363 – $164,238 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,238 – $200,901 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, 18 optometrists are part of a workforce that benefits from a cost-of-living index of 97.1, suggesting a relatively affordable living situation that enhances purchasing power for professionals in the area. Among the various employers, private optometry practices typically provide higher compensation compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Pearle Vision, while ophthalmology practices that leverage OD/MD models may offer competitive salaries due to additional surgical referral revenue sharing. Factors such as practice equity, the ability to manage complex ocular conditions, and potential residency training impact the wide salary range observed locally. For those looking to optimize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications, considering ownership, or aligning with practices that focus on glaucoma management and other advanced care could help enhance their financial prospects in the Arlington Heights marketplace.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, 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 $130,500 for optometristsin the Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights 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