Optometrist Salary in Peoria, IL: $171,531 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Peoria, IL earns a median $171,531/year (≈ $82.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $188,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.6% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For optometrists practicing in Peoria, IL, the expected annual compensation stands robust at $171,531 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range for practitioners in this area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $132,201 and experienced optometrists earning up to $209,431. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and is indicative of a landscape where practice ownership and the choice to work within retail chains shape income potential. With the increasing prevalence of private equity in health care, the dynamics in Peoria’s job market are influenced by whether optometrists opt to own their practice, join retail chains, or work in ophthalmology settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $132,201 | $63.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,615 | $66.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,531 | $82.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,426 | $83.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,431 | $100.68 |
Median Salary Position
21.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,230 (2026 est.). At $171,531, the local median is 21.99% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be above the median
How Peoria Optometrist Pay Compares
Peoria median: $171,531/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,570 | +25.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +21.99% more |
Optometrists in Peoria, IL earn a median of $171,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.99% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 25.60% above the Illinois state average of $136,570.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria has a cost of living 8.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 91.231 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $171,531 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $188,018 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$140,592
2025 BLS Actual
$166,600
2026 Current Est.
$171,531
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $140,592 | Actual |
| 2020 | $144,008 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,531 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $140,592 (2019) to $166,600 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,017 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $132,201 – $138,615 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,615 – $171,531 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,531 – $173,426 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,426 – $209,431 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Peoria
The local job market in Peoria supports approximately 50 optometrists, providing opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 91.231, residents benefit from their salaries going further compared to other regions. Top earnings often originate from private optometry practices due to ownership equitability and the potential for increased patient referrals, especially when working in conjunction with ophthalmology groups. Meanwhile, retail chains like LensCrafters and others tend to offer more stable but narrower pay scales. The disparity in salaries is also driven by additional factors such as specialized training in ocular disease and existing employment terms at newly-acquired private equity practices. For those in the Peoria area, pursuing residency training can significantly maximize earning potential, making strategic choices at the outset of their careers even more critical.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 $166,600 for optometristsin the Peoria 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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