Optometrist Salary in Urbana, IL: $131,957 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Urbana, IL earns a median $131,957/year (≈ $63.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Urbana's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $135,898 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbana, IL, $131,957 serves as the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026, reflecting the positive earning potential in a field that has increasingly expanded its scope of practice to include glaucoma care, oral medications, and laser procedures. The annual salary range for practitioners spans from $79,724 at the 10th percentile to $191,978 at the 90th percentile, revealing significant variability in compensation based on factors such as practice type and experience level. These estimates emerge from data compiled based on 2025 BLS statistics, adjusted for regional cost variations. This nuanced understanding of optometrist pay in Urbana illustrates the value placed on advanced clinical skills, particularly for those who may have completed residency training, and highlights the competitive nature of the job market in this sector.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,724 | $38.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,124 | $52.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,957 | $63.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,220 | $76.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,978 | $92.29 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbana
In Urbana, IL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,254 (2026 est.). At $131,957, the local median is 6.16% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbana Optometrist Pay Compares
Urbana median: $131,957/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $136,601 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.16% less |
Optometrists in Urbana, IL earn a median of $131,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.40% below the Illinois state average of $136,601.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbana 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.
Urbana, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,957 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,898 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,155
2025 BLS Actual
$128,163
2026 Current Est.
$131,957
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,155 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,783 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,648 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,859 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,163 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,957 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,863 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbana metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,155 (2019) to $128,163 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,863 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,708 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbana 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) | $79,724 – $110,124 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,124 – $131,957 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,957 – $159,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,220 – $191,978 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Urbana
The local job market for optometry in Urbana is relatively small, with just six optometrists currently employed, indicating that opportunities may be limited but also potentially lucrative for the right candidates. The cost-of-living index for Urbana stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national median of $140,612, the purchasing power remains viable for residents. Pay rates can differ significantly across various employment settings. While retail optical chains typically offer less, private practices and ophthalmology collaborations might provide higher salaries due to shared surgical revenue and practice ownership equity. The variation in optometrist pay in Urbana, IL, is influenced by factors such as the type of practice, residency experiences, and the acquisition models adopted by private equity in the optometry sphere. For those looking to maximize earnings, pursuing advanced training and exploring ownership or partnership opportunities in private practices can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Urbana, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Urbana?
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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 $128,163 for optometristsin the Urbana 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 Urbana 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