Optometrist Salary in Aurora, IL: $134,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Aurora, IL earns a median $134,827/year (≈ $64.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $138,854 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, the projected optometrist salary in Aurora, Illinois, stands at $134,827 annually. This figure reflects local estimates informed by the BLS state-level data, with a complete pay spectrum ranging from $78,200 at the 10th percentile to $201,139 at the 90th percentile. Aurora's optometrists are in a favorable position, particularly given the expanded scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and certain laser procedures, which enhances their earning potential. With a median pay slightly below the national average of $140,612, the local market still offers a competitive compensation environment shaped by various employment opportunities, including private practices, retail chains, and hospital settings.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,200 | $37.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,819 | $49.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,827 | $64.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,778 | $78.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,139 | $96.70 |
Median Salary Position
4.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,939 (2026 est.). At $134,827, the local median is 4.11% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Optometrist Pay Compares
Aurora median: $134,827/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,603 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.11% less |
Optometrists in Aurora, IL earn a median of $134,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.30% below the Illinois state average of $136,603.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora 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.
Aurora, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,827 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,854 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,508
2025 BLS Actual
$130,951
2026 Current Est.
$134,827
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,508 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,193 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,186 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,423 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,435 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,446 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,951 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,818 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,508 (2019) to $130,951 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,818 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,310 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $78,200 – $103,819 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,819 – $134,827 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,827 – $163,778 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,778 – $201,139 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Aurora
The job market in Aurora currently employs 44 optometrists, reflecting a solid demand for eye care professionals. The area's cost of living index is 97.1, which suggests that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the affordability of living in Aurora allows for a reasonable purchasing power. Employers in various sectors, including private practices, retail optical outlets like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision, and medical centers, offer varying pay scales influenced by practice ownership models and specialty training. Graduates with residency training in ocular disease are positioned to command higher wages, especially in medical settings that incorporate the OD/MD model, which often shares surgical revenue. To maximize earning potential in Aurora, newly licensed ODs might consider practices that align with their specialty, negotiate compensation packages carefully, and explore options in collaborative environments that leverage surgical referrals.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Aurora?
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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 $130,951 for optometristsin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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