Optometrist Salary in Moline, IL: $135,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Moline, IL earns a median $135,057/year (≈ $64.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Moline's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,091 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Moline, IL, can expect a median annual salary of $135,057. This figure is slightly below the national median of $140,612, indicating a local compensation trend that reflects regional market conditions. The salary range for optometrists in Moline varies significantly, from approximately $78,333 for the lower 10th percentile to around $188,984 for the 90th percentile. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic factors, which highlight the varying revenues associated with different practice models, including the OD/MD surgical co-management that can enhance overall earnings for those in collaborative environments.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,333 | $37.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,999 | $51.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,057 | $64.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,301 | $77.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,984 | $90.86 |
Median Salary Position
3.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moline
In Moline, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,651 (2026 est.). At $135,057, the local median is 3.95% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Moline: You'd be above the median
How Moline Optometrist Pay Compares
Moline median: $135,057/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,559 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.95% less |
Optometrists in Moline, IL earn a median of $135,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.95% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.10% below the Illinois state average of $136,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moline 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.
Moline, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,057 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,091 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,696
2025 BLS Actual
$131,174
2026 Current Est.
$135,057
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,696 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,386 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,389 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,628 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,406 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,174 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,054 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moline metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,696 (2019) to $131,174 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,054 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,358 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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) | $78,333 – $107,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,999 – $135,057 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,057 – $161,301 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,301 – $188,984 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Moline
In Moline, the job market for optometrists remains relatively stable, with ten optometrists currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, sitting at 97.1, is favorable compared to national averages, suggesting that salaries here may stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Among the various employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology practices that incorporate the OD/MD model typically offer the highest pay due to additional revenue from surgical co-management. The difference in compensation can also be influenced by factors like ownership equity, the presence of residency training, and the nuances of working for retail optical chains versus private practices. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Moline, targeting employment within ophthalmology setups, pursuing residency training, and negotiating terms post-acquisition with private equity-owned practices can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Moline, 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 $131,174 for optometristsin the Moline 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 Moline 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