Optometrist Salary in Bartlett, IL: $134,032 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bartlett, IL earns a median $134,032/year (≈ $64.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bartlett's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $138,035 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists practicing in Bartlett, Illinois, can expect a robust compensation framework, with the projected median annual salary reaching $134,032 in 2026. This figure reflects the broad salary range in the area, from $77,739 at the P10 level up to $186,073 at the P90 level. These estimates derived from 2025 BLS data take into account regional price parities that influence how much do optometrists make in Bartlett compared to their peers nationwide, where the national median stands at $140,612. As optometrists frequently expand their scope of practice to include areas such as glaucoma management and oral medications, such advancements are contributing to competitive pay dynamics in local markets.
About the Bartlett Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,739 | $37.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,252 | $51.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,032 | $64.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,178 | $76.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,073 | $89.46 |
Median Salary Position
4.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bartlett
In Bartlett, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,334 (2026 est.). At $134,032, the local median is 4.68% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Bartlett: You'd be above the median
How Bartlett Optometrist Pay Compares
Bartlett median: $134,032/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bartlett Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,489 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.68% less |
Optometrists in Bartlett, IL earn a median of $134,032 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.68% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $136,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bartlett 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.
Bartlett, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,032 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,035 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,857
2025 BLS Actual
$130,179
2026 Current Est.
$134,032
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bartlett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,857 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,526 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,483 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,713 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,689 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,683 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,179 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,032 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,000 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bartlett metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,857 (2019) to $130,179 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,000 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,143 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlett 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) | $77,739 – $106,252 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,252 – $134,032 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,032 – $159,178 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,178 – $186,073 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bartlett
In Bartlett, the job market for optometrists is relatively modest, with just nine practitioners currently employed. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the buying power of optometrists in the area is slightly enhanced when compared to the national average. Most optometrists in this region may find lucrative opportunities through private optometry practices or partnerships with ophthalmology clinics, particularly those embracing the OD/MD model that allow for surgical referrals. Variances in pay stem primarily from practice ownership dynamics, specialty training in ocular disease, and the employment arrangements following the acquisition of practices by private equity groups. To maximize their earning potential, emerging optometrists could consider completing a residency to enhance their marketability or pursue strategic partnerships within dual-practice settings, increasing their desirability among Bartlett’s employers.
More salary data for Bartlett, 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 $130,179 for optometristsin the Bartlett 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 Bartlett 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