Hire Optometrists in Springfield, Illinois
Springfield has 14 licensed optometrists serving 114K residents — 12 per 100K, 8% below the national average. IL healthcare jobs growing 5%.
Springfield has 0.6% of IL's optometrists supply but 3% of its population. Expect ~49 day fill time. Offer competitive packages with flexible scheduling to stand out.
Workforce Supply Analysis
How Springfield Compares to Other IL Cities
| City | Providers | Per 100K | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 14 | 12 | 114,000 |
| Chicago | 324 | 12 | 2,700,000 |
| Aurora | 24 | 12 | 200,000 |
| Joliet | 18 | 12 | 150,000 |
| Naperville | 18 | 12 | 148,000 |
| Rockford | 17 | 12 | 145,000 |
| Peoria | 13 | 12 | 112,000 |
| Elgin | 13 | 12 | 110,000 |
Healthcare Workforce in Springfield
Optometrists rank #18 of 19 specialties in Springfield.
IL ranks #6 nationally for optometrists with 2,400 statewide. Springfield accounts for 0.6% of the state's supply.
Illinois Regulatory & Compliance Quick Reference
Credentialing Timelines
| Hospital Privileging | 60-120 days |
| Insurance Paneling | 90-180 days |
| DEA Registration | 4-6 weeks |
| Malpractice Insurance | 1-2 weeks |
Plan for 60-120 days total onboarding time when making offers. Start credentialing before the candidate's notice period ends to minimize gap.
Retention & Turnover Intelligence
Top Exit Reasons
Top Retention Factors
Cost Impact: At 18.2% turnover, Springfield could see ~3 optometrists leave annually, costing an estimated $76,440 in replacement costs. Proactive retention saves 3-5x vs. reactive recruiting.
Springfield Optometrists Recruiting Market Overview
Springfield has 14 licensed optometrists serving a population of 114,000 — a ratio of 12 per 100K residents, which is 8% below the national average of 13 per 100K. Among IL cities, Chicago leads with 12 per 100K. (Source: CMS NPPES)
The national median salary for optometrists is $131,860 with projected employment growth of 9% through 2033. Sign-on bonuses averaging $15,000 are common for hard-to-fill positions (Source: BLS OOH).
Illinois is not a compact state — individual licensure is required. NPs require physician collaboration agreements, which can affect recruitment timelines. Healthcare employment in IL is projected to grow 5%, in line with the national average.
With annual turnover at 18.2% for this specialty, proactive recruiting and retention programs are critical. At current rates, approximately 3 optometrists in Springfield will change positions annually. Top retention factors include work-life balance (85%), competitive salary (82%), and supportive management (78%). Employers investing in these areas see 25-40% lower turnover.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hiring Optometrists in Springfield
How many optometrists are in Springfield?
Springfield has 14 NPI-registered optometrists, or 12 per 100K residents — 8% below the national average. (Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry)
What should I pay optometrists in Springfield?
The national median is $131,860. Sign-on bonuses averaging $15,000 can help close competitive candidates. (Source: BLS 2024)
Is Illinois a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No, Illinois is not currently a compact state. Individual IL licensure is required for all nurses. The compact currently includes 42 member states.
How long does credentialing take in Illinois?
Hospital privileging: 60-120 days. Insurance paneling: 90-180 days. DEA registration: 4-6 weeks. Start credentialing before the candidate's notice period ends to minimize onboarding gaps.
What is the turnover rate for optometrists?
The average annual turnover rate is 18.2%. In Springfield, that translates to ~3 position changes annually, costing an estimated $76,440 in replacement costs. Top exit reasons: burnout (35%), better pay (28%), career change (12%).
How does Springfield compare to other IL cities?
Springfield has 14 optometrists, representing 0.6% of IL's total. Chicago leads with 324 providers, followed by Aurora with 24.
What optometrists subspecialties are in demand?
Optometrists encompasses various subspecialties. Contact HealthTal for market-specific demand data.
What is the job market outlook for optometrists?
Employment is projected to grow 5% in IL. With 18.2% annual turnover and aging population demand, recruiters should build proactive pipelines. Average time-to-fill is 49 days.
Hire Optometrists in Springfield
“Healthcare workforce shortages continue to drive demand for qualified professionals across all specialties, making recruitment a critical priority for healthcare organizations.”— Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA National Health Workforce Analysis, 2024
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