Optometrist Salary in Carol Stream, IL: $132,380 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Carol Stream, IL earns a median $132,380/year (≈ $63.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Carol Stream's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $136,334 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Carol Stream, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $132,380, which is approximately 5.85% less than the national median of $140,612. The salary range for these professionals in the area varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $76,780 and the highest 90% making up to $193,416. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect the choices optometrists face in Carol Stream regarding practice ownership versus employment in retail chains or private practices. Such choices can influence not only earnings but also job satisfaction and professional autonomy in a market that employs a small number of optometrists.
About the Carol Stream Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,780 | $36.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,993 | $53.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,380 | $63.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,232 | $77.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,416 | $92.98 |
Median Salary Position
5.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carol Stream
In Carol Stream, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,636 (2026 est.). At $132,380, the local median is 5.85% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carol Stream: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carol Stream Optometrist Pay Compares
Carol Stream median: $132,380/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carol Stream Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,474 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.85% less |
Optometrists in Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $132,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.85% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $136,474.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carol Stream 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.
Carol Stream, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $132,380 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,334 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$108,502
2025 BLS Actual
$128,574
2026 Current Est.
$132,380
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,502 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,138 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,022 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,237 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,097 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,380 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,298 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carol Stream metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,502 (2019) to $128,574 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,298 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,796 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carol Stream 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) | $76,780 – $110,993 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,993 – $132,380 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,380 – $160,232 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,232 – $193,416 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Carol Stream
Despite a modest labor pool of just 10 optometrists currently working in Carol Stream, the local job market appears steady. The community has a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which indicates that while salaries may be slightly below national averages, the relative affordability of living in the area enhances take-home purchasing power. Historically, private optometry practices, particularly those with established reputations, tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains. Factors that drive pay disparities include the type of practice (independently-owned versus corporate), potential revenue sharing from ophthalmology partnerships, and additional income derived from residency training. Aspiring optometrists seeking to maximize their pay in Carol Stream should consider pursuing advanced residency training that aligns with expanding scopes of practice, such as glaucoma management, to enhance their marketability in both traditional and emerging areas of the optometric field.
More salary data for Carol Stream, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Carol Stream, IL in 2026?
Is Carol Stream, IL a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Carol Stream?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Carol Stream?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Carol Stream?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $128,574 for optometristsin the Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream 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