Optometrist Salary in Oak Park, IL: $135,542 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Oak Park, IL earns a median $135,542/year (≈ $65.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,590 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an optometrist in Oak Park, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $135,542, which reflects the local context of an evolving practice landscape that includes expanded responsibilities such as glaucoma management, oral medications, and laser procedures. The salary range spans from $78,614 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $196,418 (P90), indicating diverse earning potential based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional economic conditions, underscoring how local factors can shape compensation outcomes for optometrists. As Oak Park continues to adapt to the increasing demands of eye care, the job market remains poised to support competitive earnings for qualified professionals.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,614 | $37.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,448 | $54.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,542 | $65.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,931 | $77.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,418 | $94.43 |
Median Salary Position
3.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,804 (2026 est.). At $135,542, the local median is 3.61% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Park Optometrist Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $135,542/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,497 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.61% less |
Optometrists in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $135,542 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.61% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $136,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park 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 Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,542 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,590 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,094
2025 BLS Actual
$131,645
2026 Current Est.
$135,542
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,094 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,793 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,817 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,061 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,105 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,132 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,645 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,542 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,554 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,094 (2019) to $131,645 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,554 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,460 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $78,614 – $112,448 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,448 – $135,542 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,542 – $161,931 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,931 – $196,418 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Oak Park
The local employment scenario features a modest workforce of just 10 optometrists, contributing to a tightly-knit professional community. With a cost of living index at 97.1, Oak Park offers a slightly more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages, enhancing the purchasing power of its optometrists. Major employers in the area vary, with both private optometry practices and retail chains like LensCrafters competing for talent. Unique earning differences arise from various factors, including practice ownership versus employment within a corporate structure and specialized training such as residency post-accreditation. For those aiming to boost their earnings in Oak Park, pursuing additional certifications or establishing a presence in a collaborative practice could be beneficial strategies to increase overall optometrist pay in Oak Park, IL, amidst shifting market dynamics.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 $131,645 for optometristsin the Oak Park 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 Park 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