Optometrist Salary in Rock Island, IL: $132,966 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Rock Island, IL earns a median $132,966/year (≈ $63.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Rock Island's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $136,937 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rock Island, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $132,966, reflecting a need for practitioners who can navigate various employment structures, including private practice, retail chains, and potential ownership models. The salary range stretches from $77,120 at the 10th percentile to $186,368 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a significant disparity within the local market. These figures originate from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, exhibiting the lower-than-average remuneration compared to the national median of $140,612. With only five optometrists currently employed in the area, the job market is quite niche, requiring professionals to be strategic in their career choices to optimize their income potential.
About the Rock Island Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,120 | $37.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,873 | $53.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,966 | $63.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,528 | $75.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,368 | $89.60 |
Median Salary Position
5.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Island
In Rock Island, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,248 (2026 est.). At $132,966, the local median is 5.44% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Island: You'd be above the median
How Rock Island Optometrist Pay Compares
Rock Island median: $132,966/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,515 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.44% less |
Optometrists in Rock Island, IL earn a median of $132,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.44% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $136,515.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Island 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.
Rock Island, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $132,966 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,937 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,982
2025 BLS Actual
$129,143
2026 Current Est.
$132,966
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Rock Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,982 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,689 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,402 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,143 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,966 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,901 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Island metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,982 (2019) to $129,143 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,901 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,919 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Island 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) | $77,120 – $111,873 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,873 – $132,966 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,966 – $156,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,528 – $186,368 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Rock Island
Evaluating the local job market, Rock Island presents a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is advantageous for take-home purchasing power. This affordability can impact how much optometrists value compensation when weighing opportunities across various practice models. Retail optical chains such as LensCrafters and Pearle Vision are typically seen as offering competitive salaries, though primary care practitioners who can manage complex ocular conditions and work alongside ophthalmologists may secure higher pay through revenue-sharing arrangements. Additional factors influencing salary variance include ownership stakes versus employed positions, the absence of residency training, and post-acquisition changes resulting from private equity ownership of former practices. For those entering the field or considering transitions in Rock Island, enhancing clinical skills and pursuing collaborative opportunities with ophthalmologists or specialized training can significantly elevate earning potential.
More salary data for Rock Island, 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 $129,143 for optometristsin the Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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