Optometrist Salary in Carpentersville, IL: $133,132 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Carpentersville, IL earns a median $133,132/year (≈ $64.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Carpentersville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $137,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carpentersville, Illinois, the financial landscape for optometrists is characterized by a median annual salary of $133,132, which falls below the national median of $140,612 for 2026. Compensation ranges widely, spanning from $78,378 at the 10th percentile to $195,982 at the 90th percentile. The variations in salary can be attributed to diverse employment structures within the market, including independent practice ownership, employed associates in private practices, and retail chain setting options. Each of these avenues offers distinct compensation packages and job satisfaction levels, reflecting local market dynamics. With only eight optometrists currently operating in the area, job competition remains moderate, making Carpentersville an intriguing case for those considering where to practice optometry.
About the Carpentersville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,378 | $37.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,588 | $52.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,132 | $64.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,036 | $77.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,982 | $94.22 |
Median Salary Position
5.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carpentersville
In Carpentersville, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,604 (2026 est.). At $133,132, the local median is 5.32% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carpentersville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carpentersville Optometrist Pay Compares
Carpentersville median: $133,132/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carpentersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,546 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.32% less |
Optometrists in Carpentersville, IL earn a median of $133,132 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.32% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.50% below the Illinois state average of $136,546.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carpentersville 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.
Carpentersville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,132 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,108 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,119
2025 BLS Actual
$129,305
2026 Current Est.
$133,132
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Carpentersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,119 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,688 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,846 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,819 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,305 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,132 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,073 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carpentersville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,119 (2019) to $129,305 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,073 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,954 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carpentersville 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) | $78,378 – $109,588 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,588 – $133,132 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,132 – $162,036 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,036 – $195,982 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Carpentersville
In examining the local job market further, the cost of living index for Carpentersville stands at 97.1, suggesting a slightly lower expense profile compared to national averages, making the take-home purchasing power for optometrists relatively favorable. Among the various types of employers, private optometry practices typically provide higher compensation compared to retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Factors impacting salary differences include practice ownership, the integration of optometrists into ophthalmology models, and the level of residency training received—skills in ocular disease management enhance marketability. For those seeking to maximize their pay in this region, aligning career paths with burgeoning practices, staying updated on evolving regulations, and perhaps considering a collaborative role with surgical facilities can be strategic moves in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Carpentersville, 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 $129,305 for optometristsin the Carpentersville 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 Carpentersville 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