Optometrist Salary in Oswego, IL: $131,490 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Oswego, IL earns a median $131,490/year (≈ $63.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Oswego's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $135,417 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in Oswego, Illinois, stands at $131,490, demonstrating a competitive position in the regional healthcare market. The salary spectrum ranges from $78,123 at the 10th percentile to $190,402 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential based on experience, expertise, and practice setting. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional cost of living variations, which are particularly relevant given Illinois' evolving scope of practice that now includes glaucoma management and the use of oral medications, as well as certain laser and surgical procedures. This expanded capability can influence compensation, as optometrists equipped with advanced skills may command higher salaries within the local market, enhancing the appeal of locations like Oswego for practitioners.
About the Oswego Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,123 | $37.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,171 | $52.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,490 | $63.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,111 | $76.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,402 | $91.54 |
Median Salary Position
6.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oswego
In Oswego, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,279 (2026 est.). At $131,490, the local median is 6.49% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oswego Optometrist Pay Compares
Oswego median: $131,490/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,542 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.49% less |
Optometrists in Oswego, IL earn a median of $131,490 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.49% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.70% below the Illinois state average of $136,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oswego 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.
Oswego, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,490 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,417 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,773
2025 BLS Actual
$127,710
2026 Current Est.
$131,490
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,773 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,391 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,236 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,442 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,306 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,242 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,490 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,382 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oswego metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,773 (2019) to $127,710 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,382 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,609 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oswego 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) | $78,123 – $109,171 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,171 – $131,490 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,490 – $158,111 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,111 – $190,402 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Oswego
Understanding the local job market reveals that only seven optometrists currently practice in Oswego, which suggests a specialized field with the potential for growth. The relatively low cost of living index at 97.1 indicates better purchasing power when assessing the optometrist pay in Oswego, IL. Employers range across various settings, including private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and medical centers, with private practice generally offering the highest pay due to factors such as ownership equity and the opportunity for surgical referrals through an OD/MD partnership. Consequently, the disparity between lower and higher salaries can also be attributed to additional training, like a residency in ocular disease, and changing employment terms as private practices transition to private equity ownership. Practitioners seeking to maximize their income may benefit from expanding their scopes of practice, considering continued education options, and choosing to align with high-revenue settings or establishing private entities within the region.
More salary data for Oswego, 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 $127,710 for optometristsin the Oswego 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 Oswego 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