Optometrist Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $133,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $133,044/year (≈ $63.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $137,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Lawn, Illinois, optometrists enjoy a median annual salary of $133,044. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, and positions optometrist pay in Oak Lawn below the national median of $140,612, showcasing a difference of approximately 5.38%. The salary range for optometrists in the area varies significantly, spanning from $77,165 at the 10th percentile to approximately $196,332 at the 90th percentile. Oak Lawn's optometrists benefit from an expanding scope of practice, which now includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and certain laser procedures, factors that can influence compensation levels. With a modest cost of living index at 97.1, these salaries reflect a unique balance between earning potential and living expenses in this suburban setting.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,165 | $37.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,513 | $50.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,044 | $63.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,068 | $77.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,332 | $94.39 |
Median Salary Position
5.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,167 (2026 est.). At $133,044, the local median is 5.38% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Optometrist Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $133,044/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,595 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.38% less |
Optometrists in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $133,044 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.38% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $136,595.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,044 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,018 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,047
2025 BLS Actual
$129,219
2026 Current Est.
$133,044
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,047 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,696 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,609 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,763 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,734 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,219 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,982 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,047 (2019) to $129,219 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,982 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,935 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $77,165 – $104,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,513 – $133,044 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,044 – $161,068 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,068 – $196,332 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Oak Lawn
The job market in Oak Lawn features 14 employed optometrists, suggesting a stable demand for eye care professionals. With cost-of-living considerations, the competitive compensation landscape can indeed affect take-home pay. Local optometrists working in ophthalmology practices or those who have ownership stakes in private practices are often compensated at higher rates than those in retail optical chains such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Factors influencing salary disparities include the nature of employment—private practice offers the potential for equity and higher earnings compared to retail chain settings, which typically offer salary stability but lower overall pay. Furthermore, residency-trained optometrists may benefit from increased opportunities and higher pay compared to their non-residency-trained counterparts. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist salary in Oak Lawn, aligning with the growing scope of practice and exploring ownership options could be valuable strategies in this competitive market.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $129,219 for optometristsin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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