Optometrist Salary in Clifton, NJ: $158,987 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Clifton, NJ earns a median $158,987/year (≈ $76.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $138,010 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clifton, New Jersey, the compensation for optometrists reflects a robust and evolving market characterized by expanded scopes of practice, such as glaucoma management and the use of oral medications. The projected median annual salary is $158,987 for 2026, positioning optometrists in the region earn more than their national counterparts by 13.07%. Salaries range from $92,212 at the 10th percentile to $242,680 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for significant income variation based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price considerations, demonstrate that the job market for optometrists in Clifton is not only competitive but also attracting those with advanced training and residency backgrounds.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,212 | $44.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,731 | $62.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,987 | $76.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,774 | $90.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $242,680 | $116.67 |
Median Salary Position
13.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $150,468 (2026 est.). At $158,987, the local median is 13.07% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton Optometrist Pay Compares
Clifton median: $158,987/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $162,066 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +13.07% more |
Optometrists in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $158,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $162,066.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,987 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,010 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,310
2025 BLS Actual
$154,416
2026 Current Est.
$158,987
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,476 | Actual |
| 2021 | $140,543 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,001 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,091 | Actual |
| 2024 | $169,601 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,416 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,987 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,693 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $130,310 (2019) to $154,416 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,693 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,383 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton 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) | $92,212 – $129,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,731 – $158,987 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,987 – $187,774 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,774 – $242,680 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Clifton
The local job market currently employs 14 optometrists, which suggests a tight-knit community where individual practitioners may thrive. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, take-home pay can be impacted by living expenses that exceed the national average. Among various employers in Clifton, private practices and specialty ophthalmology clinics tend to offer higher salaries compared to retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as ownership equity in private practices, the partnership model with ophthalmologists, and post-acquisition salary changes in private equity-owned establishments. To maximize optometrist pay in Clifton, professionals should consider residency training, seek opportunities in profitable practice settings, and leverage their skills in the growing fields of advanced eye care.
More salary data for Clifton, 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 $154,416 for optometristsin the Clifton 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 Clifton 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