Optometrist Salary in Mount Prospect, IL: $136,471 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Mount Prospect, IL earns a median $136,471/year (≈ $65.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Mount Prospect's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $140,547 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $136,471 projected for 2026, optometrists in Mount Prospect, IL, can expect competitive compensation, although it's slightly below the national median of $140,612. The local salary ranges from $79,154 at the 10th percentile to $199,293 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential influenced by factors such as ownership stake in practices and cooperation in surgical co-management models with ophthalmologists. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight a thriving market providing opportunities for both seasoned practitioners and new graduates.
About the Mount Prospect Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,154 | $38.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,157 | $51.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,471 | $65.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,379 | $79.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,293 | $95.81 |
Median Salary Position
2.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Prospect
In Mount Prospect, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,139 (2026 est.). At $136,471, the local median is 2.94% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Prospect: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Prospect Optometrist Pay Compares
Mount Prospect median: $136,471/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Prospect Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.94% less |
Optometrists in Mount Prospect, IL earn a median of $136,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.94% lower than the national median of $140,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Prospect 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.
Mount Prospect, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,471 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,547 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,856
2025 BLS Actual
$132,548
2026 Current Est.
$136,471
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Mount Prospect (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,856 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,573 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,639 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,891 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,977 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,025 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,548 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,471 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,511 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Prospect metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,856 (2019) to $132,548 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,655 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Prospect 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) | $79,154 – $106,157 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,157 – $136,471 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,471 – $164,379 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,379 – $199,293 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Mount Prospect
In terms of local employment, Mount Prospect has 13 optometrists currently practicing, which fosters a close-knit professional community. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, below the national average, enhancing the real purchasing power of optometrists’ earnings. Employers in this area include a mix of private optometry practices, retail chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision, and ophthalmology practices that often pay more due to lucrative referral arrangements in the OD/MD model. The variance in pay can be attributed to several factors, including ownership equity, practice settings, and specialized residency training, such as in ocular disease, which can grant higher earning potential. To maximize pay in Mount Prospect, optometrists should consider pursuing residency programs, aligning with high-revenue practices, and leveraging collaborations with ophthalmology colleagues to tap into additional income through surgical referrals.
More salary data for Mount Prospect, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Mount Prospect?
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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 $132,548 for optometristsin the Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect 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