Optometrist Salary in Vineland, NJ: $162,335 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Vineland, NJ earns a median $162,335/year (≈ $78.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Vineland's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $140,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, optometrists in Vineland, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $162,335, surpassing the national median by approximately 15.45%. The local salary range extends from $94,154 at the 10th percentile to $232,414 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earning potential in different employment scenarios. Local estimates are based on 2025 BLS Occupational Employment Statistics data, adjusted for regional cost variations, which reflect a cost of living index of 115.2—meaning expenses in Vineland are higher than the national average. This competitive compensation landscape is influenced by the structural choices optometrists make, particularly between private practice ownership versus employment with retail chains and associated practices.
About the Vineland Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,154 | $45.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,790 | $60.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $162,335 | $78.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,243 | $92.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $232,414 | $111.74 |
Median Salary Position
15.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vineland
In Vineland, NJ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,260 (2026 est.). At $162,335, the local median is 15.45% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vineland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vineland Optometrist Pay Compares
Vineland median: $162,335/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vineland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $162,011 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +15.45% more |
Optometrists in Vineland, NJ earn a median of $162,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.45% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.20% above the New Jersey state average of $162,011.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vineland has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vineland, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $162,335 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,916 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$133,054
2025 BLS Actual
$157,668
2026 Current Est.
$162,335
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Vineland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,054 | Actual |
| 2020 | $136,287 | Actual |
| 2021 | $143,502 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,992 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $173,173 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,668 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,335 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $167,140 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vineland metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $133,054 (2019) to $157,668 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $167,140 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,086 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vineland 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) | $94,154 – $126,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,790 – $162,335 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $162,335 – $192,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,243 – $232,414 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Vineland
The job market for optometrists in Vineland consists of about 11 practitioners, a relatively small but focused community that can impact earning dynamics. Given the higher cost of living, the effective take-home pay may vary significantly depending on the type of employer. Largely, private optometry practices tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail chains, with ophthalmology practices also providing lucrative opportunities, especially for those with residency training in ocular disease. The wide disparity in earnings is influenced by factors such as practice ownership equity and the collaborative models with ophthalmologists. To maximize earnings in Vineland, practitioners should consider options like working in specialty practices or pursuing advanced training to leverage emerging roles in glaucoma management or specialty procedures, aligning with the current trends in optometry’s expanding scope of practice.
More salary data for Vineland, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Vineland, NJ in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Vineland?
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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 $157,668 for optometristsin the Vineland 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 Vineland 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