Optometrist Salary in Belleville, IL: $130,229 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Belleville, IL earns a median $130,229/year (≈ $62.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Belleville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $134,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometry in Belleville, Illinois, offers a competitive median annual salary of $130,229, which is approximately 7.38% below the national average of $140,612 for the profession in 2026. The pay scale for optometrists in this region spans from $75,878 at the 10th percentile to $185,847 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional price parities, and they mirror the state’s expanded scope of practice, allowing optometrists to manage glaucoma and prescribe oral medications. The evolving dynamics within Belleville's optometry job market indicate a robust demand for skilled practitioners, particularly those adapting to advances in patient care and technology.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,878 | $36.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,613 | $51.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,229 | $62.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,326 | $74.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,847 | $89.35 |
Median Salary Position
7.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belleville
In Belleville, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,969 (2026 est.). At $130,229, the local median is 7.38% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Belleville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Belleville Optometrist Pay Compares
Belleville median: $130,229/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Belleville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,508 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.38% less |
Optometrists in Belleville, IL earn a median of $130,229 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.38% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $136,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Belleville 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.
Belleville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,229 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,118 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,739
2025 BLS Actual
$126,485
2026 Current Est.
$130,229
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Belleville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,739 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,333 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,121 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,316 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,123 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,032 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,485 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,229 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belleville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $106,739 (2019) to $126,485 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,345 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville 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) | $75,878 – $106,613 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,613 – $130,229 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,229 – $155,326 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,326 – $185,847 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Belleville
In Belleville, ten optometrists are currently employed, and the local job market benefits from a relatively low cost of living index of 97.1, which can enhance the purchasing power of optometrists despite slightly lower salaries compared to national figures. Among employers, private optometry practices often offer the highest pay, influenced by factors such as ownership equity and collaborative models with ophthalmology practices, while retail chains like Visionworks and LensCrafters provide more stable but potentially lower salaries. The disparity in compensation can be driven by various elements, including the demand for residency-trained professionals and post-acquisition salary structures in private equity-owned practices. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Belleville, pursuing advanced training and exploring diverse employment settings can be effective strategies to enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Belleville, 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 $126,485 for optometristsin the Belleville 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 Belleville 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