Optometrist Salary in Trenton, NJ: $160,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Trenton, NJ earns a median $160,576/year (≈ $77.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Trenton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $155,627 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median optometrist salary in Trenton, New Jersey, of $160,576 for 2026, the local pay scale outpaces the national median by a significant margin of 14.20%. This robust figure reflects a diverse market where factors such as practice ownership, employment at private practices, or roles within retail optical chains play key roles in compensation levels. The salary range highlights this variability, extending from $55,403 at the lower tenth percentile to $319,701 at the upper ninetieth percentile, indicating the potential earnings from a variety of career paths within the field. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, showcasing a healthy demand for optometrists in the area, with local employment opportunities reflecting the evolving nature of the optometry profession in Trenton.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,403 | $26.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,475 | $61.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,576 | $77.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $319,701 | $153.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $319,701 | $153.70 |
Median Salary Position
14.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Trenton
In Trenton, NJ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $264,298 (2026 est.). At $160,576, the local median is 14.2% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Trenton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Trenton Optometrist Pay Compares
Trenton median: $160,576/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Trenton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $162,035 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +14.20% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Trenton has a cost of living 3.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Trenton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,576 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,627 — a 3.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,630
2025 BLS Actual
$155,960
2026 Current Est.
$160,576
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,811 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,948 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,421 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $169,902 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Trenton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 34.9% from $115,630 (2019) to $155,960 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,699 (42.98%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $55,403 – $127,475 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,475 – $160,576 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,576 – $319,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $319,701 – $319,701 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Trenton
The optometry job market in Trenton currently employs around 70 optometrists, which suggests a stable professional environment. However, the cost of living index at 103.18 indicates that while salaries are competitive, the relatively higher living expenses may challenge take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically offer better pay than retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Additionally, those working in the OD/MD model with surgical elements could see elevated compensation due to revenue-sharing arrangements from referrals. As practice ownership can provide equity stakes that lead to higher salaries, pursuing a residency training program can further enhance earning potential. For those entering this market, aligning with practices that embrace scope-of-practice expansions in glaucoma management or surgical procedures may present strategic avenues to maximize their optometrist pay in Trenton NJ.
More salary data for Trenton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Trenton, NJ in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Trenton?
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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 $155,960 for optometristsin the Trenton 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
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