Optometrist Salary in Orland Park, IL: $138,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Orland Park, IL earns a median $138,440/year (≈ $66.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Orland Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $142,575 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrists in Orland Park, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $138,440 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range spans from $80,295 at the 10th percentile up to $201,504 for the 90th percentile, reflecting various employment structures available in the area. In Orland Park, optometrists may choose between practice ownership or working as associates in private practices and retail chains. This decision greatly influences their earning potential, since practice owners often retain higher revenues compared to employees at retail chains, which might incorporate fewer lucrative services depending on their business model. Such structural choices represent a key factor in the local job market dynamics for optometry.
About the Orland Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,295 | $38.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,107 | $52.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,440 | $66.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,925 | $79.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,504 | $96.88 |
Median Salary Position
1.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orland Park
In Orland Park, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,209 (2026 est.). At $138,440, the local median is 1.54% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Orland Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Orland Park Optometrist Pay Compares
Orland Park median: $138,440/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orland Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,529 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.54% less |
Optometrists in Orland Park, IL earn a median of $138,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.54% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% above the Illinois state average of $136,529.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Orland 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.
Orland Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $138,440 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,575 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,469
2025 BLS Actual
$134,460
2026 Current Est.
$138,440
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Orland Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,469 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,226 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,823 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,915 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,538 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orland Park metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,469 (2019) to $134,460 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,538 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,069 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orland 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) | $80,295 – $110,107 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,107 – $138,440 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,440 – $165,925 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,925 – $201,504 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Orland Park
The demand for optometry services in Orland Park is reflected by the presence of nine employed optometrists, showcasing a healthy demand for eye care professionals in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the financial environment in Orland Park allows for reasonable purchasing power despite salaries being slightly lower than the national average. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically offer the highest compensation, especially those adopting the OD/MD model, which facilitates a revenue-sharing arrangement for surgical referrals. Variability in pay often hinges on additional factors such as practice ownership equity, residency training in ocular disease, and the nature of employment agreements with private equity-owned practices. Optometrists aiming to maximize their pay should consider pursuing specialized training, diversifying their service offerings, or exploring options within higher-paying clinical settings to enhance their market viability.
More salary data for Orland 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 $134,460 for optometristsin the Orland 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 Orland 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