Optometrist Salary in Rockford, IL: $135,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Rockford, IL earns a median $135,423/year (≈ $65.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,468 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average optometrist salary in Rockford, Illinois, is projected to reach $135,423, which reflects a nearly 3.69% decrease compared to the national median of $140,612 for the same year. This figure is derived from BLS estimates, which adjust for local cost of living conditions, accounting for the city's relatively affordable cost of living index at 97.1. The salary range for optometrists in Rockford indicates a diverse compensation landscape, spanning from $78,545 at the 10th percentile to $207,907 for those at the 90th percentile. With an expanding scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and certain laser procedures, optometrists remain an integral part of healthcare, shaping their earning potential in this mid-sized Illinois city.
About the Rockford Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,545 | $37.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,908 | $51.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,423 | $65.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,311 | $80.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,907 | $99.95 |
Median Salary Position
3.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,362 (2026 est.). At $135,423, the local median is 3.69% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford Optometrist Pay Compares
Rockford median: $135,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,515 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.69% less |
Optometrists in Rockford, IL earn a median of $135,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.69% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% below the Illinois state average of $136,515.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford 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.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,423 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,468 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,997
2025 BLS Actual
$131,530
2026 Current Est.
$135,423
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,997 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,693 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,955 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,994 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,432 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,997 (2019) to $131,530 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,432 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,435 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $78,545 – $107,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,908 – $135,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,423 – $168,311 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,311 – $207,907 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Rockford
The employment landscape for optometrists in Rockford is relatively stable, with 34 professionals practicing in the area. The cost of living index suggests that the purchasing power for optometrists is favorable, potentially enhancing their ability to save and invest. Among local employers, those working in ophthalmology practices or affiliate programs within VA medical centers tend to command higher pay, partly due to the collaborative frameworks that allow for shared revenue from surgical procedures. Variations in optometrist pay in Rockford can also arise from ownership stakes in private practices versus employment in retail chains like Walmart Vision or LensCrafters, which may offer different patient volume dynamics and financial incentives. For those looking to maximize compensation, gaining residency training focused on ocular disease or exploring the OD/MD model might yield higher rewards in both salary and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $131,530 for optometristsin the Rockford 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 Rockford 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