Optometrist Hourly Pay in Egg Harbor, NJ: $74.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Egg Harbor, NJ runs $74.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $154,141 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Egg Harbor's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $92,490 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Egg Harbor, New Jersey, optometrists can expect a median hourly pay of $74.11, which surpasses the national median hourly rate of $67.60. This rate provides substantial compensation for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For example, a part-time optometrist working three days a week can earn a meaningful income while balancing their professional and personal lives. The hourly pay range varies widely in Egg Harbor, spanning from $42.99 at the lower end to $105.61 for top earners. Such figures suggest that hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, emphasizing the potential for a lucrative career in various settings, including private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics.
About the Egg Harbor Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.99 | $343.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.46 | $483.66 |
| Median (P50) | $74.11 | $592.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.07 | $704.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.61 | $844.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Egg Harbor
Based on $74.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $74.11/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Egg Harbor, NJ can expect to earn approximately $154,150 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $88,933. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Egg Harbor.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Egg Harbor
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,964.42 | $12,846 | $154,150 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,778.65 | $7,708 | $92,490 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,185.77 | $5,138 | $61,660 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Egg Harbor) | $74.11 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Egg Harbor, NJ earn a median of $154,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.62% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.80% below the New Jersey state average of $161,913.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $74.11/hr = $92,490/year (purchasing power: $80,286).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $154,150/year (purchasing power: $133,811).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$60.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$74.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Egg Harbor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $65.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $69.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $79.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Egg Harbor grew 18.5% from $60.74/hr (2019) to $71.98/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $76.30/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Egg Harbor metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Egg Harbor
For optometrists who choose part-time work, an estimated 24-hour workweek translates into a notable difference in annual earnings compared to full-time positions. Fill-in optometrists at retail chains commonly bill $500-$800 per day, while those in OD/MD practices may command rates between $700-$1,200 daily. Residency-trained ocular disease specialists at hospitals often see hourly pay rates ranging from $90 to $130. While many optometrists in Egg Harbor work in private settings or retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision, hourly compensation can vary significantly based on employer type and benefits offered. Some practitioners may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance, while others prioritize higher rates without the safety net of benefits. Negotiating hourly pay can be strategic; understanding local market rates and being prepared to discuss the scope of practice and patient care can lead to better compensation outcomes for optometrists in Egg Harbor, NJ.
More salary data for Egg Harbor, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Egg Harbor in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Egg Harbor?
Are optometrists in Egg Harbor paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Egg Harbor?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Egg Harbor?
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Egg Harbor. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Egg Harbor is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov