Optometrist Hourly Pay in Gloucester Township, NJ: $78.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Gloucester Township, NJ runs $78.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $162,669 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Gloucester Township's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $97,604 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gloucester Township, NJ, optometrists earn a competitive median hourly rate of $78.21, surpassing the national median of $67.60 by approximately 15.69%. This higher pay reflects the region's cost of living and demand for eye care professionals, offering a significant opportunity for both full-time and part-time optometrists. A typical part-time schedule, such as three days a week, allows these professionals to capitalize on a robust hourly compensation, which can also be adjusted for per-diem roles. The entry-level wage starts at around $45.36, while top earners can make up to $112.29 an hour. This hourly outlook is based on annual salary estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, providing a beneficial perspective for those entering various practice settings, including private optometry offices, retail optical chains, and specialized medical centers.
About the Gloucester Township 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) | $45.36 | $362.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.28 | $490.25 |
| Median (P50) | $78.21 | $625.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92.81 | $742.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112.29 | $898.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gloucester Township
Based on $78.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.21/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gloucester Township, NJ can expect to earn approximately $162,674 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $93,850. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Gloucester Township.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gloucester Township
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,128.34 | $13,556 | $162,674 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,877.00 | $8,134 | $97,604 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,251.33 | $5,422 | $65,069 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Gloucester Township) | $78.21 |
| 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 Gloucester Township, NJ earn a median of $162,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.69% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $162,020.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.21/hr = $97,604/year (purchasing power: $84,726).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $162,674/year (purchasing power: $141,210).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Gloucester Township (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $65.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $69.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $83.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Gloucester Township grew 18.5% from $64.10/hr (2019) to $75.96/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.52/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 Gloucester Township 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 Gloucester Township
Exploring part-time options reveals additional financial nuances for optometrists in Gloucester Township. For those choosing a 24-hour work week, annual income is less than that of their full-time counterparts. Per-diem optometrists typically bill between $500-$800 per day at retail locations and $700-$1,200 in OD/MD practices, while residency-trained ocular disease optometrists in hospital settings can earn between $90-$130 per hour, often on a 1099 basis. The variance in hourly rates across different employment types—ranging from solo private practices to larger optical chains like LensCrafters—suggests a strategic approach to career decisions. Some optometrists may opt for lower hourly rates with benefits over higher pay without health coverage. It’s crucial to assess the total compensation package when evaluating roles. Negotiation tips include emphasizing specialized training and expanding scope-of-practice capabilities, particularly in light of evolving standards in optometry and enhanced service offerings that appeal to employers in Gloucester Township.
More salary data for Gloucester Township, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Gloucester Township in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Gloucester Township?
Are optometrists in Gloucester Township paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Gloucester Township?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Gloucester Township?
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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 Gloucester Township. 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 Gloucester Township 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