BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Optometrists in New Jersey

$161,110 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$77.46 per hour

▲ 13.8% above U.S. average2nd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$161,110per year
Median$159,040per year
Hourly$77.46per hour
10th – 90th percentile$104,730 – $232,960per year

Optometrists Pay Range in New Jersey

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$104,730
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$134,560
  • 50th Percentile — Median$159,040
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$165,960
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$232,960

Half of Optometrists in New Jersey earn more than $159,040. The top 10% make $232,960 or more, while entry-level workers start around $104,730.

Optometrists in New Jersey: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • New Jersey ranks 2nd of 51 states for Optometrists pay, at $161,110 per year (13.8% above the U.S. average of $141,550).
  • 1,380 people work as Optometrists in New Jersey — 3.2% of all U.S. Optometrists jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.17: Optometrists jobs are more concentrated in New Jersey than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $104,730; the top 10% earn over $232,960.
  • Hourly equivalent: $77.46 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $165,120.
  • Among healthcare jobs in New Jersey, Surgeons All Other pays the most ($503,070).

Optometrists Job Market in New Jersey

Key factors affecting compensation

New Jersey's key industries are Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Optometrists here earn $161,110 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.28 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Jersey salary of $161,110 is roughly equivalent to $125,867 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($165,120), North Carolina ($161,030), Maine ($160,730) are the closest alternatives for Optometrists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Optometrists salary in New Jersey?

The average Optometrists salary in New Jersey is $161,110 per year (median $159,040), which is 13.8% above the national average of $141,550.

How does New Jersey rank for Optometrists pay?

New Jersey ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($165,120/yr).

How much do entry-level Optometrists make in New Jersey?

The lowest-paid 10% of Optometrists in New Jersey earn about $104,730 per year and the 25th percentile is $134,560.

How much do Optometrists make per hour in New Jersey?

About $77.46 per hour, based on the $161,110 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Optometrists work in New Jersey?

BLS counts 1,380 Optometrists jobs in New Jersey (OEWS May 2025).

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