Optometrist Hourly Pay in Trenton, NJ: $77.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Trenton, NJ runs $77.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $160,576 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Trenton's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,345 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Trenton, New Jersey, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a competitive $77.20. This rate is significantly higher than the national median hourly wage of $67.60 for optometrists, reflecting the region's demand for vision care professionals. The hourly wage provides flexibility, making it a viable option for part-time practitioners working three days a week, as well as per-diem optometrists who may work in various settings such as retail optical chains, private practices, and teaching clinics. Entry-level positions in Trenton can start at approximately $26.64 per hour, while experienced optometrists at the top of their field can earn as much as $153.70 per hour. This data is sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), offering reliable insights into the local employment market for optometrists.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.64 | $213.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.28 | $490.25 |
| Median (P50) | $77.20 | $617.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153.70 | $1229.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153.70 | $1229.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Trenton
Based on $77.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.20/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Trenton, NJ can expect to earn approximately $160,575 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $92,639. With a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Trenton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Trenton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,087.98 | $13,381 | $160,575 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,852.79 | $8,029 | $96,345 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,235.19 | $5,352 | $64,230 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Trenton) | $77.20 |
| 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 Trenton, NJ earn a median of $160,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.20% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.90% below the New Jersey state average of $162,035.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.20/hr = $96,345/year (purchasing power: $93,376).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $160,575/year (purchasing power: $155,626).
CoL index: 103.18 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $68.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $81.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Trenton grew 34.9% from $55.59/hr (2019) to $74.98/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.48/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 Trenton 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 Trenton
For part-time optometrists in Trenton, working 24 hours a week can lead to an annual take-home of approximately $60,000, a considerable sum compared to the full-time potential earnings. Per-diem optometrists, particularly those filling in at retail chains, can expect to bill between $500 and $800 per day, while fill-in positions at OD/MD practices can range from $700 to $1,200 daily. Residency-trained optometrists focusing on ocular diseases in hospital settings often earn $90 to $130 per hour. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of employer, with private practices typically offering different pay scales compared to retail optical chains or hospital systems. Some optometrists opt for positions that provide lower hourly compensation in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others pursue higher hourly wages without benefits. When negotiating pay, it's crucial for optometrists in Trenton to articulate their unique qualifications, highlighting their AOA, NBEO, and ACOE accreditations, which can significantly influence compensation discussions.
More salary data for Trenton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Trenton in 2026?
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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 Trenton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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