Optometrist Salary in Evanston, IL: $135,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Evanston, IL earns a median $135,769/year (≈ $65.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Evanston's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,824 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected average pay for optometrists in Evanston, Illinois, is set at $135,769. This figure represents a competitive compensation package within the local market, though it is slightly below the national median of $140,612. The range of salaries for optometrists in the area stretches from $78,746 at the 10th percentile to $205,480 for those at the 90th percentile, suggesting that factors such as surgical co-management, experience level, and practice setting significantly influence earnings. These estimates are informed by the latest BLS state-level data adjusted for regional pricing, offering important insights into how much optometrists can expect to earn in Evanston’s evolving healthcare sector.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,746 | $37.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,764 | $50.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,769 | $65.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,860 | $80.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,480 | $98.79 |
Median Salary Position
3.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston
In Evanston, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,734 (2026 est.). At $135,769, the local median is 3.44% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evanston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evanston Optometrist Pay Compares
Evanston median: $135,769/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evanston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,589 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.44% less |
Optometrists in Evanston, IL earn a median of $135,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $136,589.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evanston 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.
Evanston, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,769 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,824 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,280
2025 BLS Actual
$131,866
2026 Current Est.
$135,769
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Evanston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,984 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,019 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,264 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,318 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,866 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evanston metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,280 (2019) to $131,866 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,508 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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) | $78,746 – $104,764 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,764 – $135,769 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,769 – $167,860 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,860 – $205,480 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Evanston
Currently, there are 16 practicing optometrists in the Evanston area. This relatively small group operates within a cost-of-living index of 97.1, indicating that expenses are lower than the national average. Therefore, optometrists’ salaries translate into more purchasing power compared to other regions with higher living costs. Among the various employers, private optometry practices, especially those leveraging the OD/MD model for surgical co-management, tend to offer higher salaries compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Factors such as practical ownership, post-acquisition salary structures, and the potential for additional revenue from surgical referrals create a wide compensation gap. To maximize earnings in Evanston, newly graduated optometrists should consider pursuing residency training, gaining experience through diverse practice settings, and remaining aware of local market dynamics.
More salary data for Evanston, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Evanston?
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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 $131,866 for optometristsin the Evanston 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 Evanston 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