Optometrist salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Optometrists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $155,960 a year ($74.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $310,510 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 2% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $159,040. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $186,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,810 | $25.87 |
| 25th percentile | $123,810 | $59.52 |
| Median | $155,960 | $74.98 |
| 75th percentile | $310,510 | $149.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $310,510 | $149.28 |
| Average (mean) | $186,160 | $89.50 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,996.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,498.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,998.46 |
| Weekly | $2,999.23 |
| Hourly | $74.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $161,030 | 2,580 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $153,980 | 890 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $150,640 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $153,630 | $73.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $108,280 | $52.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $279,930 | $134.58 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Pharmacist | $138,910 | $66.79 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| Therapists, All Other | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,370 | $48.74 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $192,090 | $92.35 |
| Dentists, General | $216,750 | $104.21 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $84,050 | $40.41 |
| Physician Assistant | $138,880 | $66.77 |
| Veterinarian | $150,520 | $72.36 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for optometrists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $155,960 a year, or $74.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $310,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $310,510 a year. The top 25% earn $310,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,810 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $123,810 or less.
How many optometrists work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 70 optometrists are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.