Optometrist Salary in Schererville, IN: $136,170 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Schererville, IN earns a median $136,170/year (≈ $65.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Schererville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $149,146 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Schererville, Indiana, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $136,170 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national average of $140,612. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $78,979 at the lower end (P10) to $201,701 at the higher end (P90), indicating that financial prospects can differ widely based on factors such as experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight the influence of emerging scopes of practice in optometry—such as the ability to manage glaucoma and prescribe oral medications—which can drive demand and salaries higher in this particular market. Such dynamics are essential to consider for those looking to establish or further their careers in Schererville's optometry field.
About the Schererville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,979 | $37.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,083 | $54.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,170 | $65.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,858 | $76.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,701 | $96.97 |
Median Salary Position
3.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Schererville
In Schererville, IN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,722 (2026 est.). At $136,170, the local median is 3.16% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Schererville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Schererville Optometrist Pay Compares
Schererville median: $136,170/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Schererville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,807 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.16% less |
Optometrists in Schererville, IN earn a median of $136,170 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.16% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.90% below the Indiana state average of $138,807.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Schererville has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Schererville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,170 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,146 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,609
2025 BLS Actual
$132,255
2026 Current Est.
$136,170
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Schererville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,609 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,373 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,622 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,694 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,423 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,255 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,170 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,200 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Schererville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,609 (2019) to $132,255 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,200 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,591 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Schererville 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) | $78,979 – $113,083 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,083 – $136,170 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,170 – $158,858 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,858 – $201,701 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Schererville
Seven optometrists currently practice in Schererville, signaling a competitive job market that is shadowed by a cost of living index of 91.3, suggesting that living expenses in the area are below the national average. This lower cost of living can positively impact the purchasing power of optometrists, making the local salary potentially more attractive. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology practices are known to offer higher compensation than retail optical chains. Pay differentials can be influenced by a variety of factors, including practice ownership, participation in the OD/MD model, and the existence of specialized training, such as residency programs. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, aligning with practices that reflect these higher pay scales and actively pursuing advanced training and specializations could be effective strategies in Schererville's optometry job market.
More salary data for Schererville, IN:
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 $132,255 for optometristsin the Schererville 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 Schererville 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