Optometrist Hourly Pay in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ: $78.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ runs $78.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $163,939 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Parsippany-Troy Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,362 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrists in Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, earn a median hourly rate of $78.82, which significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $67.60. This elevated pay scale benefits those working part-time or as per-diem professionals in various settings such as private optometry offices, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics. Part-time optometrists, working approximately three days a week, can expect to see diverse pay possibilities from entry-level positions starting at about $45.71 up to more experienced professionals earning $114.42 per hour, showing a healthy compensation range that reflects experience and practice type. While these figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, they indicate that the demand for qualified optometrists in the area could create advantageous work situations in both full-time and part-time roles.
About the Parsippany-Troy Hills 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) | $45.71 | $365.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.78 | $486.22 |
| Median (P50) | $78.82 | $630.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.28 | $754.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114.42 | $915.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Parsippany-Troy Hills
Based on $78.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.82/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ can expect to earn approximately $163,937 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,579. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Parsippany-Troy Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Parsippany-Troy Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,152.64 | $13,661 | $163,937 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,891.58 | $8,197 | $98,362 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,261.05 | $5,465 | $65,575 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Parsippany-Troy Hills) | $78.82 |
| 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 Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ earn a median of $163,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.59% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.20% above the New Jersey state average of $161,995.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.82/hr = $98,362/year (purchasing power: $85,384).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $163,937/year (purchasing power: $142,306).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Parsippany-Troy Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $69.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $70.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $84.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Parsippany-Troy Hills grew 18.5% from $64.60/hr (2019) to $76.55/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.15/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 Parsippany-Troy Hills 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 Parsippany-Troy Hills
Considering the part-time earning potential in Parsippany-Troy Hills, an optometrist working just three days a week, averaging 24 hours, could realistically earn $118,617 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Per diem optometrists can capitalize on lucrative daily pay ranging from $500 to $1,200 depending on their work environment. While optical chains may offer a lower daily rate, practices affiliated with hospitals or specialty clinics often provide attractive financial incentives. Moreover, many practitioners choose to accept slightly lower hourly compensation in exchange for job security and employee benefits such as health insurance. Navigating salary discussions in this local job market requires awareness of nuances; optometrists should negotiate based not only on hourly rates but also on factors like benefits, workload flexibility, and practice type. Understanding these intricacies will empower optometrists in Parsippany-Troy Hills to make informed career decisions.
More salary data for Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Parsippany-Troy Hills in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Parsippany-Troy Hills?
Are optometrists in Parsippany-Troy Hills paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Parsippany-Troy Hills?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Parsippany-Troy Hills?
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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 Parsippany-Troy Hills. 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 Parsippany-Troy Hills 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