Optometrist Salary in Elgin, IL: $148,603 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Elgin, IL earns a median $148,603/year (≈ $71.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Elgin's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $153,041 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Elgin, Illinois, command a strong median annual salary of $148,603, reflecting a competitive market that exceeds the national average by approximately 5.68%. The salary range for this profession spans from $86,190 at the 10th percentile to $225,740 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diversity in compensation based on experience and practice settings. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and consider local economic conditions in Elgin, which has a cost of living index at 97.1, indicating it is slightly below the national average. The local job market's strength, along with surgical co-management revenue in the OD/MD model, significantly contributes to this favorable compensation landscape.
About the Elgin Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,190 | $41.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,785 | $56.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,603 | $71.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,919 | $87.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,740 | $108.53 |
Median Salary Position
5.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elgin
In Elgin, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,550 (2026 est.). At $148,603, the local median is 5.68% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elgin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elgin Optometrist Pay Compares
Elgin median: $148,603/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elgin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,584 | +8.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +5.68% more |
Optometrists in Elgin, IL earn a median of $148,603 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.68% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 8.80% above the Illinois state average of $136,584.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elgin 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.
Elgin, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $148,603 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,041 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,799
2025 BLS Actual
$144,331
2026 Current Est.
$148,603
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Elgin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,759 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,364 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,727 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,353 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,331 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,603 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elgin metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $121,799 (2019) to $144,331 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,203 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elgin 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) | $86,190 – $116,785 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,785 – $148,603 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,603 – $182,919 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,919 – $225,740 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Elgin
The strength of Elgin's optometry job market is underscored by the presence of 16 optometrists currently employed in the area. Despite the slightly lower cost of living, this offers a reasonable advantage in purchasing power for optometrists when considering their take-home pay. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology settings, particularly those utilizing the collaborative OD/MD model, tend to offer salaries on the higher end of the spectrum. Factors influencing the pay variability range from ownership equity within private practices to the impact of residency training, which can command a premium in more specialized fields. To maximize earnings in Elgin, aspiring optometrists should focus on gaining expertise in areas like ocular disease, as well as considering collaborations with ophthalmologists that can integrate surgical services into their practices. Building a strong reputation and patient base in this evolving field can further enhance income potential.
More salary data for Elgin, 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 $144,331 for optometristsin the Elgin 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 Elgin 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