How much does an ophthalmologist make in Chicago?
$284,600a year
Median yearly pay for ophthalmologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $136.84 an hour or $23,720 a month.
- Hourly
- $136.84
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 15 of 33
- Jobs in the area
- 510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $53,970Median: $284,600Highest 10%: $421,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,970 | $25.95 | |
| 25th | $164,400 | $79.04 | |
| Median | $284,600 | $136.84 | |
| 75th | $334,300 | $160.74 | |
| 90th | $421,300 | $202.55 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for ophthalmologists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Radiologist | $479,900 |
| Cardiologist | $475,600 |
| Surgeon | $462,600 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $446,500 |
| Dermatologist | $435,800 |
| Physician | $336,700 |
| Dentist | $269,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,900 |
| Psychiatrist | $258,800 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an ophthalmologist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $136.84 ($284,600 a year).
Do ophthalmologists make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $284,600 against $300,100 nationally, 5% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $284,600, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for ophthalmologist pay?
15 of 33 metro areas with data.
How much does an ophthalmologist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $53,970 or less a year; the top 10% make $421,300 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.