Optometrist Salary in Downers Grove, IL: $130,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Downers Grove, IL earns a median $130,261/year (≈ $62.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Downers Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $134,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary projected at $130,261 in 2026, optometrists in Downers Grove, Illinois, find themselves in a competitive compensation scenario. The salary range spans from $75,948 at the lower tenth percentile to $190,886 for those at the ninety percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional prices, reflect the growing demand for optometrists who are equipped to handle a diverse scope of practice, including glaucoma management and minor surgical procedures. The local job market for these professionals benefits from the presence of various practice settings, which influences overall earning potential and career trajectory in Downers Grove.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,948 | $36.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,678 | $51.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,261 | $62.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,012 | $75.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,886 | $91.77 |
Median Salary Position
7.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downers Grove
In Downers Grove, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,938 (2026 est.). At $130,261, the local median is 7.36% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downers Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downers Grove Optometrist Pay Compares
Downers Grove median: $130,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downers Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,542 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.36% less |
Optometrists in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $130,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.36% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $136,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downers Grove 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.
Downers Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,261 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,151 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,766
2025 BLS Actual
$126,516
2026 Current Est.
$130,261
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,766 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,359 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,344 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,153 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,062 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,516 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,117 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downers Grove metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $106,766 (2019) to $126,516 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,117 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,351 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers Grove 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) | $75,948 – $106,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,678 – $130,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,261 – $158,012 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,012 – $190,886 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Downers Grove
In Downers Grove, the employment landscape for optometrists includes 11 professionals currently practicing in the area, creating a tight-knit community. Given a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing power for optometrists is relatively favorable, compensating for lower-than-average salaries compared to national figures. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include retail optical chains like Visionworks and Pearle Vision, as well as private ophthalmology practices that incorporate ODs into an OD/MD model, thereby sharing revenue from surgical referrals. The variability in pay can also be attributed to factors such as practice ownership, the impact of residency training on salary expectations, and the terms of employment in practices formerly acquired by private equity firms. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this specific market, considering positions in higher-paying establishments or pursuing further specialization through residency programs can be advantageous.
More salary data for Downers Grove, 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 $126,516 for optometristsin the Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove 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