Examine eyes for vision problems and disease, prescribing corrective lenses and treatment. Median salary in Newark: $168K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Newark, New Jersey. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Optometrists in Newark earn approximately 22% higher than the US national median for this role — a $30,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Newark's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Adjusted for Newark's cost-of-living index (155), the median Optometrist salary buys the equivalent of $108,387 in a US-average-cost city. That's $29,613 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.
New Jersey's 10.75% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $18,060 per year at the median salary. A Optometrist relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $168K by 2030.
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The median Optometrist salary in Newark, NJ is $168,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Newark–NJ metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Optometrists in Newark with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $137,000 and $168,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $168,000 to $205,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $205,000 to $256,000 or more.
Newark has a cost of living index of 155 compared to the US national average of 100. Newark's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. New Jersey has a 10.75% state income tax rate.
Doctor of Optometry (OD); state licensure. 5% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.