Optometrist Hourly Pay in Irvington, NJ: $77.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Irvington, NJ runs $77.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $161,437 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Irvington's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,859 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Irvington, New Jersey, the hourly pay for optometrists is projected to reach a median of $77.61 in 2026. This rate is considerably higher than the national median of $67.60, reflecting local market conditions and demand for eye care professionals. For those looking to work part-time, such as in retail optical chains or private practices, a 3-day work schedule at this hourly rate could yield substantial take-home pay, even though it varies based on a worker's individual schedule and patient load. With an hourly range that spans from $45.01 at the 10th percentile to $117.77 at the 90th percentile, there are diverse opportunities in both entry-level and advanced roles within different settings, including exam rooms at private practices and university teaching clinics.
About the Irvington 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) | $45.01 | $360.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.05 | $504.42 |
| Median (P50) | $77.61 | $620.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.08 | $768.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117.77 | $942.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Irvington
Based on $77.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.61/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Irvington, NJ can expect to earn approximately $161,431 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $93,133. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Irvington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Irvington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,104.45 | $13,453 | $161,431 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,862.67 | $8,072 | $96,859 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,241.78 | $5,381 | $64,573 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Irvington) | $77.61 |
| 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 Irvington, NJ earn a median of $161,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.81% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.30% below the New Jersey state average of $161,923.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.61/hr = $96,859/year (purchasing power: $84,079).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $161,431/year (purchasing power: $140,131).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$63.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Irvington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $65.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $68.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $82.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Irvington grew 18.5% from $63.61/hr (2019) to $75.38/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.91/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 Irvington 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 Irvington
Part-time optometrists working in Irvington often earn less annually compared to their full-time counterparts but can still achieve significant incomes, particularly when employed in high-paying per-diem roles. A typical 3-day work week accounting for around 24 hours may provide a solid income without the full-time commitment. For per diem optometrists, billing rates range from $500 to $800 daily in retail environments, while rates are even higher—from $700 to $1,200 for fill-in positions in OD/MD practices. Factors such as employer type greatly influence hourly earnings, with solo and group private practices generally offering lower pay compared to ophthalmology or hospital settings, which tend to provide more lucrative opportunities. Additionally, while some optometrists may choose lower hourly rates for added benefits such as health insurance, others take higher pay without benefits for flexibility. For those negotiating in Irvington, understanding the local market and individual practice needs is crucial, as it allows for better discussions around salary expectations and benefit packages tailored to the optometrist's career goals.
More salary data for Irvington, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Irvington. 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 Irvington 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