Optometrist Salary in Washington Township, NJ: $160,137 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Washington Township, NJ earns a median $160,137/year (≈ $76.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Washington Township's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $139,008 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Washington Township, New Jersey, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $160,137, which is notably higher than the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists here is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at $92,879 and experienced practitioners earning up to $230,193. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect local market conditions along with regional cost adjustments. The presence of optometrists working alongside ophthalmologists in the OD/MD model significantly impacts revenue potential, allowing for co-management of surgical cases, which contributes to this competitive salary landscape in Washington Township.
About the Washington Township Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,879 | $44.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,334 | $61.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,137 | $76.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $191,527 | $92.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,193 | $110.67 |
Median Salary Position
13.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington Township
In Washington Township, NJ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,314 (2026 est.). At $160,137, the local median is 13.89% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington Township: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Township Optometrist Pay Compares
Washington Township median: $160,137/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Township Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,918 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +13.89% more |
Optometrists in Washington Township, NJ earn a median of $160,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.89% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.10% below the New Jersey state average of $161,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington Township has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington Township, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,137 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,008 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$131,253
2025 BLS Actual
$155,533
2026 Current Est.
$160,137
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Washington Township (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,253 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,441 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,559 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,028 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,169 | Actual |
| 2024 | $170,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,533 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,137 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,877 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington Township metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $131,253 (2019) to $155,533 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,877 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,624 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington Township 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) | $92,879 – $128,334 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,334 – $160,137 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,137 – $191,527 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $191,527 – $230,193 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Washington Township
The local job market for optometrists in Washington Township consists of approximately 12 professionals, indicating a relatively stable demand for eye care services. Given the cost of living index of 115.2, the purchasing power for these salaries is somewhat diminished when compared to the national average. Highest pay levels are typically seen in ophthalmology practices that utilize the OD/MD model, which optimizes referral services and surgical management, unlike retail optical chains where compensation tends to lag. Factors such as practice ownership, residency training—particularly in ocular disease and the VA pathway—and the affiliated terms of recently acquired private practices by private equity shape the significant pay disparity in the region. To maximize salary potential, optometrists should align with higher-revenue models, seek advanced training, and consider locations where ownership or equity stakes provide enhanced financial returns in the expanding scope of optometric practice.
More salary data for Washington Township, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Washington Township, NJ in 2026?
Is Washington Township, NJ a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Washington Township?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Washington Township?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Washington Township?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $155,533 for optometristsin the Washington Township 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 Washington Township 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