Optometrist Salary in Northbrook, IL: $134,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Northbrook, IL earns a median $134,669/year (≈ $64.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Northbrook's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $138,691 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Northbrook, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $134,669 in 2026, with earnings ranging from $78,108 at the 10th percentile to $192,642 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, factoring in the cost of living and market conditions specific to the area. For practitioners deciding between ownership, employed associate positions, or retail chain work, these choices significantly impact their compensation potential. The local job market offers a multifaceted approach, where private practices and retail chains each maintain distinct employment dynamics, providing varying levels of financial security and growth opportunities.
About the Northbrook Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,108 | $37.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,544 | $51.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,669 | $64.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,800 | $77.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,642 | $92.61 |
Median Salary Position
4.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Northbrook
In Northbrook, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,534 (2026 est.). At $134,669, the local median is 4.23% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Northbrook: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Northbrook Optometrist Pay Compares
Northbrook median: $134,669/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Northbrook Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,581 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.23% less |
Optometrists in Northbrook, IL earn a median of $134,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.23% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $136,581.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Northbrook 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.
Northbrook, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,669 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,691 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,378
2025 BLS Actual
$130,797
2026 Current Est.
$134,669
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Northbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,378 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,281 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,286 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,797 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,655 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Northbrook metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,378 (2019) to $130,797 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,655 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,277 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Northbrook 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) | $78,108 – $107,544 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,544 – $134,669 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,669 – $160,800 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,800 – $192,642 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Northbrook
With eight optometrists currently employed in Northbrook, the market remains relatively competitive. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains accessible. Among the local employers, private optometry practices—with their potential for ownership equity—usually offer higher compensation than retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Factors such as practice ownership, residency training in ocular disease, and the evolving OD/MD models further delineate earnings within Northbrook. Optometrists aiming to maximize their pay should consider seeking opportunities in practice ownership or aligning with ophthalmology to capitalize on surgical revenue-sharing arrangements, thus enhancing their earning potential in a nuanced local job market.
More salary data for Northbrook, 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 $130,797 for optometristsin the Northbrook 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 Northbrook 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