Optometrist Salary in Montclair, NJ: $160,388 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Montclair, NJ earns a median $160,388/year (≈ $77.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Montclair's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $139,226 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Montclair, New Jersey, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $160,388 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $140,612 for the same year, leading to a salary premium of 14.06%. The salary spectrum ranges from $93,025 at the lower tenth percentile to $225,376 at the ninetieth percentile, illustrating a significant earning potential based on experience, specialization, and practice setting. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data tailored to regional price adjustments, which account for Montclair's higher-than-average cost of living. This vibrant job market, largely characterized by surgical co-management in tandem with ophthalmologists, positions optometrists in Montclair favorably within the broader context of New Jersey's optometry field.
About the Montclair Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,025 | $44.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,056 | $64.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,388 | $77.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,673 | $90.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,376 | $108.36 |
Median Salary Position
14.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montclair
In Montclair, NJ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,351 (2026 est.). At $160,388, the local median is 14.06% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Montclair: You'd be above the median
How Montclair Optometrist Pay Compares
Montclair median: $160,388/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montclair Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $162,008 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +14.06% more |
Optometrists in Montclair, NJ earn a median of $160,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.06% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.00% below the New Jersey state average of $162,008.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montclair has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montclair, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,388 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,226 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,459
2025 BLS Actual
$155,777
2026 Current Est.
$160,388
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Montclair (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,459 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,652 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,781 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,405 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,096 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,777 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,388 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,135 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montclair metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $131,459 (2019) to $155,777 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,676 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montclair 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) | $93,025 – $135,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,056 – $160,388 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,388 – $188,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,673 – $225,376 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Montclair
With ten optometrists currently employed in Montclair, a sizable demand exists relative to the local population and healthcare needs. Although Montclair's cost-of-living index sits at 115.2—indicating a higher expense ratio than the national average—this translates into a nuanced perspective on take-home income. In this market, top earners often find the most lucrative positions within ophthalmology practices utilizing the OD/MD model, where revenue from surgical referrals can substantially enhance compensation. Retail optical chains, while common, tend to offer lower pay due to varying operation costs and profit-sharing structures. Factors such as practice ownership, additional residency training in ocular disease, and the competitive landscape of private equity-owned practices can profoundly influence salary disparities. Those looking to maximize their pay in Montclair should consider aligning with multi-disciplinary practices, pursuing advanced certifications, or exploring partnerships in private practices to enhance both their compensation and professional opportunities.
More salary data for Montclair, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $155,777 for optometristsin the Montclair 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 Montclair 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