Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in Chicago, IL
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $284,630 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $191,603 take-home, or $15,967 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median ophthalmologists, except pediatric salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$62,755
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$4,889
- Illinois income tax$13,944
- Take-home pay$191,603
Marginal rate: 35% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,970 | $25.95 | $43,018 | $3,585 |
| 25th percentile | $164,400 | $79.04 | $115,640 | $9,637 |
| Median (50th) | $284,630+ | $136.84 | $191,603 | $15,967 |
| 75th percentile | $334,330+ | $160.74 | $220,280 | $18,357 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $421,300+ | $202.55 | $270,462 | $22,538 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $284,630 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median ophthalmologists, except pediatric's $191,603 take-home pay has the buying power of $184,954 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 2.0× the national concentration of ophthalmologists, except pediatric jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for ophthalmologists, except pediatric, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 1 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $239,200+ | $191,603 | $184,954 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 1 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ophthalmologists, except pediatric make in Chicago, IL?
The median ophthalmologists, except pediatric salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $284,630 a year, or about $136.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $164,400 and $239,200+.
What is a ophthalmologists, except pediatric’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $284,630 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $191,603 a year ($15,967 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $13,944 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a ophthalmologists, except pediatric?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $239,200+. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $184,954 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 1 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a ophthalmologists, except pediatric afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 10% of a median ophthalmologists, except pediatric’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $226,060
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,080
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $208,000
- Pediatricians, General — $188,340
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Veterinarian — $148,730
- Optometrist — $145,630
- Pharmacist — $140,880
- Nurse Practitioner — $131,740