Optometrist Salary in New Jersey: $160,511 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $160,511/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $139,332 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($163,793), Newark ($161,268), East Orange ($159,500).
In 2026, optometrists in New Jersey are projected to earn an average median salary of $160,512, which is 14.2% higher than the national median of $140,612. The highest-paying city in New Jersey for this profession is Jersey City, offering $168,641, while the lowest is Summit at $150,957, creating a salary gap of $17,684. Factors driving this difference include variations in the cost of living, patient demographics, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Licensing requirements in New Jersey ensure that optometrists meet rigorous standards, which includes completing a Doctor of Optometry degree and passing various examinations. The scope of practice laws in the state allow optometrists to offer a range of eye care services, contributing to an increased demand for their expertise. The job market for optometrists in New Jersey shows promising strength, with an employment projection of 890 optometrists and an anticipated annual growth rate of 2.96%. Major cities like Newark, East Orange, Franklin, and Woodbridge are expected to offer competitive salaries, indicating a healthy demand for eye care services across the state.
New Jersey Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $55,403 (lowest entry-level) to $319,701 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey optometrists earn 14.15% more than the national median (+$19,899/year difference).
New Jersey Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in New Jersey range from $90,376 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $244,574 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $160,511. The New Jersey median is $19,899 above the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $77.17/hr. Approximately 890 optometrists are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$146,630
2025 BLS Actual
$155,897
2026 Current Est.
$160,511
2019–2027 Growth
+12.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $146,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,756 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,363 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,897 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,511 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 6.3% from $146,630 (2019) to $155,897 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,632 (12.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Summit | $150,957 |
| Rahway | $153,236 |
| Evesham | $153,915 |
| Egg Harbor | $154,141 |
| Mount Laurel | $154,518 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton | $160,576 | 103.18 | $155,627 |
| Jersey City | $168,641 | 115.2 | $146,390 |
| Newark | $166,042 | 115.2 | $144,134 |
| East Orange | $164,221 | 115.2 | $142,553 |
| Franklin | $164,221 | 115.2 | $142,553 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $90,376 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $160,511 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $244,574 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jersey City | $168,641 |
| 2 | Newark | $166,042 |
| 3 | East Orange | $164,221 |
| 4 | Franklin | $164,221 |
| 5 | Woodbridge | $164,175 |
| 6 | Parsippany-Troy Hills | $163,939 |
| 7 | Princeton | $163,768 |
| 8 | Union | $163,528 |
| 9 | Elizabeth | $163,469 |
| 10 | Brick | $163,131 |
| 11 | Gloucester Township | $162,669 |
| 12 | New Brunswick | $162,605 |
| 13 | Vineland | $162,335 |
| 14 | Howell | $162,066 |
| 15 | Paterson | $161,872 |
| 16 | Plainfield | $161,681 |
| 17 | Irvington | $161,437 |
| 18 | West New York | $161,193 |
| 19 | Piscataway | $161,078 |
| 20 | Jackson | $160,988 |
| 21 | Lakewood | $160,720 |
| 22 | West Orange | $160,627 |
| 23 | Trenton | $160,576 |
| 24 | Montclair | $160,388 |
| 25 | Washington Township | $160,137 |
| 26 | Old Bridge | $160,077 |
| 27 | Edison | $159,830 |
| 28 | Union City | $159,757 |
| 29 | Toms River | $159,705 |
| 30 | Bridgewater | $159,521 |
| 31 | Middletown | $159,475 |
| 32 | Clifton | $158,987 |
| 33 | South Brunswick | $158,704 |
| 34 | Berkeley | $158,691 |
| 35 | Perth Amboy | $158,667 |
| 36 | Wayne | $158,615 |
| 37 | Linden | $158,590 |
| 38 | Passaic | $158,551 |
| 39 | East Brunswick | $158,490 |
| 40 | Bloomfield | $158,153 |
| 41 | Long Branch | $158,050 |
| 42 | Westfield | $157,610 |
| 43 | Hamilton | $157,447 |
| 44 | Sayreville | $157,397 |
| 45 | Cherry Hill | $157,370 |
| 46 | North Bergen | $157,088 |
| 47 | Hoboken | $156,947 |
| 48 | Kearny | $156,705 |
| 49 | Manalapan | $156,567 |
| 50 | Bayonne | $156,409 |
| 51 | Atlantic City | $156,391 |
| 52 | Manchester | $156,051 |
| 53 | Moorestown | $155,440 |
| 54 | Hackensack | $155,436 |
| 55 | Camden | $154,752 |
| 56 | Marlboro | $154,632 |
| 57 | Mount Laurel | $154,518 |
| 58 | Egg Harbor | $154,141 |
| 59 | Evesham | $153,915 |
| 60 | Rahway | $153,236 |
| 61 | Summit | $150,957 |
More New Jersey Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in New Jersey in 2026?
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How does New Jersey optometrist pay compare to the national average?
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How many optometrists are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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