Ophthalmology Salary in Illinois
As of June 22, 2025, an Ophthalmologist in Illinois earns approximately $690,000 per year ($57,500 monthly). Based on an average 47-hour work week, this translates to about $314 per hour.
Local Salary Range and Market Analysis
From 20 verified physician salary submissions in Illinois, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $670,000 to $700,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $2,000,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $690,000, Ophthalmologist salaries in Illinois are in line with the national median.
Career Growth and Local Market Trends
In Illinois, the salary progression for ophthalmologist physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $648,000, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $889,400 - a 37% increase.
Local Practice Settings and Employers
On average, base salary accounts for 85% of total compensation—about $656,250—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
Work-Life Balance in Illinois
Local ophthalmologist physicians report 4.0/5 career satisfaction, with 95% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Salary Distribution
Distribution based on 20 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $690,000
Physician Satisfaction
Would Choose Again
Percentage of Ophthalmology physicians who would choose this specialty again if starting their career over.
Satisfaction Rating
Average satisfaction rating reported by Ophthalmology physicians (1-5 scale).
Career Satisfaction
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
Primary Challenges
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Salary Comparison
Location Statistics
Average Salary
$768,700
Median Salary
$690,000
Salary Range
$670,000 - $700,000
National Comparison
National Average
$768,700
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
20 local / 20 national reports
Salary by Practice Type
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Academic | $1,131,667 | 3 submissions |
| Private Practice | $833,500 | 4 submissions |
| Hospital-employed | $665,000 | 13 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Salary by Experience Level
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | $425,000 | 1 submissions |
| 3-5 years | $970,000 | 1 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $635,625 | 8 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $830,556 | 9 submissions |
| 16+ years | $1,419,000 | 1 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Take-Home Pay Calculator
Subspecialty Comparison
Oculoplastic
Glaucoma
Retina
Pediatric
Cornea
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oculoplastic | $1,376,875 | 8 submissions | Focuses on specialized oculoplastic procedures and treatments within ophthalmology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Glaucoma | $707,214 | 14 submissions | Focuses on specialized glaucoma procedures and treatments within ophthalmology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Retina | $661,857 | 14 submissions | Focuses on specialized retina procedures and treatments within ophthalmology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Pediatric | $630,636 | 11 submissions | Provides specialized surgical care for infants, children, and adolescents, addressing congenital conditions and childhood diseases. |
| Cornea | $622,417 | 12 submissions | Focuses on specialized cornea procedures and treatments within ophthalmology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
* Subspecialties with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
* Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.
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* Salary data is updated monthly based on verified physician submissions.
Popular Locations
New York City, NY
Average Salary: $400,000
Based on 150 reports
Los Angeles, CA
Average Salary: $380,000
Based on 120 reports
Chicago, IL
Average Salary: $350,000
Based on 100 reports
Houston, TX
Average Salary: $340,000
Based on 90 reports
Miami, FL
Average Salary: $360,000
Based on 80 reports
Boston, MA
Average Salary: $370,000
Based on 70 reports
* Showing locations with the most reported salaries.
* Some locations may be omitted if they have fewer than 3 reports.
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About Our Data
Our salary data is based on anonymous submissions from practicing physicians across the United States. We verify and clean the data to ensure accuracy and remove outliers.
Last updated: June 22, 2025