Optometrist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Optometrists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $145,630 a year ($70.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $93,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,250 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $145,620. There are 0.26 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $144,330, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,350 | $44.88 |
| 25th percentile | $132,090 | $63.51 |
| Median | $145,630 | $70.01 |
| 75th percentile | $162,590 | $78.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $186,250 | $89.55 |
| Average (mean) | $144,330 | $69.39 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,135.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,067.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,601.15 |
| Weekly | $2,800.58 |
| Hourly | $70.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $145,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $166,600 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $156,990 | 300 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $138,360 | 30 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $137,590 | 340 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $135,720 | 230 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $135,090 | 340 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $134,830 | 50 |
| Evansville, IN | $133,800 | 40 |
| Bloomington, IL | $132,740 | 40 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $129,390 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $128,890 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,860 | $48.01 |
| Dentists, General | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $61.51 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Anesthesiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Veterinarian | $148,730 | $71.51 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for optometrists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $145,630 a year, or $70.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $93,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $186,250 a year. The top 25% earn $162,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $93,350 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $132,090 or less.
How many optometrists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,160 optometrists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.