Optometrist Salary in Newark, DE: $142,081 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Newark, DE earns a median $142,081/year (≈ $68.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Newark's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $139,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career in optometry in Newark, Delaware, the projected median annual salary in 2026 stands at $142,081, showing a slight increase compared to the national median of $140,612. This compensation reflects a competitive salary range, with estimates indicating earnings could be as low as $82,407 at the 10th percentile, while the upper echelon may yield as much as $200,621. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for local cost variances. The market structure here, influenced by practice ownership, employed associates, and retail optical chains, plays a significant role in shaping the overall earning potential for optometrists in Newark.
About the Newark Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,407 | $39.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,751 | $55.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,081 | $68.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,729 | $80.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,621 | $96.45 |
Median Salary Position
1.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newark
In Newark, DE, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,214 (2026 est.). At $142,081, the local median is 1.04% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Newark: You'd be above the median
How Newark Optometrist Pay Compares
Newark median: $142,081/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newark Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $142,938 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.04% more |
Optometrists in Newark, DE earn a median of $142,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.04% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the Delaware state average of $142,938.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newark has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newark, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,081 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,706 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,453
2025 BLS Actual
$137,996
2026 Current Est.
$142,081
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Newark (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,283 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,598 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,901 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,996 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,081 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,286 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newark metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,453 (2019) to $137,996 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,286 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,833 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newark 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,407 – $114,751 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,751 – $142,081 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,081 – $167,729 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,729 – $200,621 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Newark
Delaware's robust job market hosts a modest number of optometrists, with only five currently employed in Newark. The cost of living index in the area is slightly above the national average at 101.7, suggesting that while salaries are substantial, the purchasing power may be affected. Employers that typically offer the highest pay in Newark include private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups, where optometrists collaborate with MDs under various models. The disparity in compensation can largely be attributed to factors such as equity from practice ownership, the complexity of an OD/MD partnership model, and the level of residency training that candidates bring, especially in ocular disease. To maximize earnings in this market, practitioners should consider specialization or seek employment with high-performing practices, along with remaining aware of trends in practice acquisitions, which may affect compensation structures in the field.
More salary data for Newark, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Newark, DE in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Newark?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Newark?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $137,996 for optometristsin the Newark metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Newark 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