Optometrist Salary in Woodbridge, NJ: $164,175 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Woodbridge, NJ earns a median $164,175/year (≈ $78.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Woodbridge's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $142,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the thriving optometry market of Woodbridge, NJ, the projected median salary for optometrists is $164,175 for the year 2026, which reflects a competitive boost compared to the national figure of $140,612. This salary range spans from $95,222 at the 10th percentile to $253,547 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse earning ability depending on experience, specialization, and practice settings. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data demonstrate that the area's promising compensation reflects New Jersey's expanded scope of practice, including the management of glaucoma and the prescription of oral medications, both of which are likely contributing factors to higher salary expectations. Given the strong demand for eye care professionals, Woodbridge presents a robust job market where comprehensive eye health services are increasingly prioritized.
About the Woodbridge Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,222 | $45.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,000 | $64.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,175 | $78.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,554 | $98.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $253,547 | $121.89 |
Median Salary Position
16.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodbridge
In Woodbridge, NJ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,325 (2026 est.). At $164,175, the local median is 16.76% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woodbridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Woodbridge Optometrist Pay Compares
Woodbridge median: $164,175/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woodbridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,908 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +16.76% more |
Optometrists in Woodbridge, NJ earn a median of $164,175 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.76% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $161,908.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woodbridge has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woodbridge, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $164,175 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $142,513 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$134,562
2025 BLS Actual
$159,455
2026 Current Est.
$164,175
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Woodbridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,562 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,832 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,129 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,635 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,956 | Actual |
| 2024 | $175,135 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,455 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,175 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,034 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woodbridge metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $134,562 (2019) to $159,455 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,034 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,472 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodbridge 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) | $95,222 – $135,000 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,000 – $164,175 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,175 – $204,554 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,554 – $253,547 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Woodbridge
With 25 optometrists currently employed in Woodbridge, the local job market demonstrates a solid engagement for practitioners. However, an elevated cost-of-living index of 115.2 may affect purchasing power for the city's residents, necessitating attention to location-based income adjustments. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups tend to offer increasingly competitive salaries, especially those working with an OD/MD model which allows for shared surgical revenue streams. The variance between individual earnings can be influenced by factors such as practice ownership equity, residency training in ocular disease, and the reputation of one's practice in the community, particularly when transitioning from private equity-acquired establishments. To optimize earning potential in Woodbridge, optometrists should consider pursuing advanced training, leveraging their roles in established practices, and staying informed about local practice acquisition trends within the optometry sector.
More salary data for Woodbridge, 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 $159,455 for optometristsin the Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge 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