Optometrist Salary in Plainfield, IL: $132,019 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Plainfield, IL earns a median $132,019/year (≈ $63.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $135,962 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Plainfield, Illinois, can expect a 2026 median salary of $132,019, which reflects ongoing dynamics in practice ownership and employment models. With a salary range spanning from $79,309 at the 10th percentile to $192,192 at the 90th percentile, this range is indicative of the various settings optometrists may work in—be it private practices, retail chains, or health systems. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data, suggest a competitive labor market for optometrists as they navigate the pros and cons of practice structures in Plainfield. Compared to the national median of $140,612, local salaries show a slight decrease, emphasizing the importance of understanding regional economic conditions in the pursuit of optimal compensation.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,309 | $38.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,254 | $53.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,019 | $63.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,372 | $76.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,192 | $92.40 |
Median Salary Position
6.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,883 (2026 est.). At $132,019, the local median is 6.11% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Optometrist Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $132,019/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,525 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.11% less |
Optometrists in Plainfield, IL earn a median of $132,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $136,525.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield 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.
Plainfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $132,019 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,962 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,207
2025 BLS Actual
$128,224
2026 Current Est.
$132,019
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,207 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,836 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,704 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,915 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,802 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,751 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,224 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,019 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,207 (2019) to $128,224 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,720 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $79,309 – $110,254 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,254 – $132,019 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,019 – $159,372 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,372 – $192,192 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Plainfield
Analyzing the local job market reveals that Plainfield currently employs 11 optometrists, which may limit job openings and competition for positions. The cost of living is relatively moderate, with an index of 97.1, suggesting that while salaries are slightly lower than the national average, residents maintain reasonable purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices could provide higher compensation compared to retail optical chains like LensCrafters or chain establishments such as Walmart Vision. The significant variance in pay can often stem from factors like practice ownership equity, the collaboration with ophthalmologists in OD/MD models, or residency training in ocular disease. Optometrists aiming to maximize their pay in Plainfield should consider working in collaborative environments or pursuing additional training and certifications that align with expanding scopes of practice, particularly given recent legislative changes in Illinois that broaden optometrists' roles in eye care management.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 $128,224 for optometristsin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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