How much does an optometrist make in Chicago?
$145,600a year
Median yearly pay for optometrists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $70.01 an hour or $12,140 a month.
- Hourly
- $70.01
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 58 of 183
- Jobs in the area
- 1,160
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $93,350Median: $145,600Highest 10%: $186,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $93,350 | $44.88 | |
| 25th | $132,100 | $63.50 | |
| Median | $145,600 | $70.01 | |
| 75th | $162,600 | $78.17 | |
| 90th | $186,300 | $89.54 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for optometrists.
| Peoria, IL | $166,600 |
| St. Louis, MO | $135,100 |
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 |
| Ophthalmologist | $284,600 |
| Dentist | $269,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,900 |
| Psychiatrist | $258,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optometrist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $70.01 ($145,600 a year).
Do optometrists make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $145,600 against $136,600 nationally, 7% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $145,600, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for optometrist pay?
58 of 183 metro areas with data.
How much does an optometrist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $93,350 or less a year; the top 10% make $186,300 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.