Optometrist Salary in Calumet City, IL: $129,477 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Calumet City, IL earns a median $129,477/year (≈ $62.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Calumet City's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $133,344 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Calumet City, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $129,477, with earnings ranging from $75,097 at the 10th percentile to $183,347 at the 90th percentile. These estimated figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the high demand for optometrists who can manage an expanded scope of practice that includes glaucoma treatment and other advanced services. Despite the strong local salary, which is about 7.92% lower than the national median of $140,612, the job market for optometrists in Calumet City remains competitive.
About the Calumet City Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,097 | $36.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,102 | $50.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,477 | $62.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,561 | $73.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,347 | $88.14 |
Median Salary Position
7.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Calumet City
In Calumet City, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,250 (2026 est.). At $129,477, the local median is 7.92% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Calumet City: You'd be above the median
How Calumet City Optometrist Pay Compares
Calumet City median: $129,477/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Calumet City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,579 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.92% less |
Optometrists in Calumet City, IL earn a median of $129,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.92% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.20% below the Illinois state average of $136,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Calumet City 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.
Calumet City, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $129,477 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,344 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,123
2025 BLS Actual
$125,755
2026 Current Est.
$129,477
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Calumet City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,123 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,702 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,457 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,645 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,418 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,309 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,755 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,477 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,310 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Calumet City metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $106,123 (2019) to $125,755 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,310 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,187 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Calumet City 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) | $75,097 – $105,102 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,102 – $129,477 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,477 – $153,561 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,561 – $183,347 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Calumet City
Looking more closely at local employment dynamics, Calumet City currently employs just seven optometrists, highlighting a relatively small yet specialized market. The cost of living index in the city is 97.1, which suggests that optometrists here have a better purchasing power compared to areas with higher indices. Local employers, including private optometry practices and retail optical chains like LensCrafters, contribute to the salary variability. Those opting for ownership of their practices or collaborating in an OD/MD model may capitalize on greater earnings through shared surgical referral revenues. Additionally, pursuing residency training in ocular disease can enhance an optometrist's desirability and compensation potential. Understanding these factors can be pivotal for professionals aiming to maximize their optometrist pay in Calumet City, IL.
More salary data for Calumet City, 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 $125,755 for optometristsin the Calumet City 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 Calumet City 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