Optometrist Salary in Hackensack, NJ: $155,436 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hackensack, NJ earns a median $155,436/year (≈ $74.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hackensack's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $134,927 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hackensack, New Jersey, optometrists enjoy a competitive salary landscape that reflects the evolving scope of practice within the field. With the potential to earn a median annual salary of $155,436 in 2026, local optometrists are positioned favorably against the national median of $140,612. Salaries range significantly from $92,083 at the 10th percentile to $223,603 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse opportunities available in this urban market. These figures, derived from projected estimates based on 2025 BLS data, highlight how Hackensack's practicing optometrists benefit from an extensive practice environment that includes advanced procedures such as managing glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing minor laser treatments.
About the Hackensack Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,083 | $44.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,371 | $61.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,436 | $74.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,643 | $86.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,603 | $107.50 |
Median Salary Position
10.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hackensack
In Hackensack, NJ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,520 (2026 est.). At $155,436, the local median is 10.54% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hackensack: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hackensack Optometrist Pay Compares
Hackensack median: $155,436/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hackensack Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,912 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +10.54% more |
Optometrists in Hackensack, NJ earn a median of $155,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.54% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.00% below the New Jersey state average of $161,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hackensack has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hackensack, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,436 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,927 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,399
2025 BLS Actual
$150,967
2026 Current Est.
$155,436
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hackensack (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,399 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,495 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,404 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,812 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,436 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,037 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hackensack metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $127,399 (2019) to $150,967 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,037 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,638 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hackensack 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) | $92,083 – $128,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,371 – $155,436 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,436 – $180,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,643 – $223,603 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hackensack
The job market for optometrists in Hackensack remains strong, with only eight professionals currently employed, indicating a potential for growth in this health sector. However, the cost of living index of 115.2 reveals that expenses are higher than the national average, which can impact overall take-home pay. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically offer the highest compensation, especially those owned by residency-trained optometrists who may benefit from surgical referral revenue sharing alongside ophthalmologists. The difference in pay stems from factors like whether an optometrist operates within a private practice or a retail chain and the terms of employment following private equity acquisitions of formerly independent practices. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Hackensack, focusing on specialties that leverage recent advancements in professional training and forms of practice ownership can be advantageous.
More salary data for Hackensack, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Hackensack?
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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 $150,967 for optometristsin the Hackensack 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 Hackensack 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