Optometrist Salary in O'Fallon, IL: $133,016 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in O'Fallon, IL earns a median $133,016/year (≈ $63.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in O'Fallon's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $136,989 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
O'Fallon, Illinois, presents a competitive optometrist salary landscape in 2026, with a median annual income of $133,016, slightly below the national average of $140,612. This reflects how the state's practice scope, which includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures, plays a fundamental role in shaping compensation. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $77,149 at the 10th percentile to $195,253 at the 90th, highlighting substantial disparities that can arise from practice setting, ownership structure, and clinical specialization. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, underlining the attractiveness of O'Fallon's employment opportunities for newly graduated and seasoned optometrists alike.
About the O'Fallon Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,149 | $37.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,202 | $50.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,016 | $63.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,965 | $75.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,253 | $93.87 |
Median Salary Position
5.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in O'Fallon
In O'Fallon, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,104 (2026 est.). At $133,016, the local median is 5.4% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in O'Fallon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How O'Fallon Optometrist Pay Compares
O'Fallon median: $133,016/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | O'Fallon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,567 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.40% less |
Optometrists in O'Fallon, IL earn a median of $133,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.40% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $136,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
O'Fallon 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.
O'Fallon, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,016 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,989 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,024
2025 BLS Actual
$129,192
2026 Current Est.
$133,016
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in O'Fallon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,024 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,673 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,585 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,805 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,736 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,707 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,016 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the O'Fallon metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,024 (2019) to $129,192 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,929 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the O'Fallon 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) | $77,149 – $104,202 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,202 – $133,016 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,016 – $156,965 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,965 – $195,253 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in O'Fallon
In O'Fallon, the local employment market features six practicing optometrists, creating a tailored community where expertise can thrive. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is below the national average, professionals may find their take-home pay stretches further, contributing to a favorable lifestyle for residents. Among the various employers, private optometry practices tend to offer the most competitive pay, especially those operating under an OD/MD model that can enhance revenue with surgical referrals. The salary variability is influenced by factors, including practice ownership equity, residency training in ocular disease, and the evolving dynamics of retail and private optometry. To maximize earning potential, O'Fallon optometrists should consider pursuing advanced residencies and affiliations with high-revenue practices while keeping abreast of the ongoing changes in the industry landscape.
More salary data for O'Fallon, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in O'Fallon?
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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 $129,192 for optometristsin the O'Fallon 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 O'Fallon 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