Optometrists Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$94,320
- 25th Percentile — Junior$123,250
- 50th Percentile — Median$161,560
- 75th Percentile — Senior$193,790
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$215,340
Half of Optometrists in North Carolina earn more than $161,560. The top 10% make $215,340 or more, while entry-level workers start around $94,320.
Optometrists in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 3rd of 51 states for Optometrists pay, at $161,030 per year (13.8% above the U.S. average of $141,550).
- 1,140 people work as Optometrists in North Carolina — 2.7% of all U.S. Optometrists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.84: Optometrists jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $94,320; the top 10% earn over $215,340.
- Hourly equivalent: $77.42 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $165,120.
- Among healthcare jobs in North Carolina, Surgeons All Other pays the most ($377,270).
Optometrists Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Optometrists here earn $161,030 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $161,030 is roughly equivalent to $176,956 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($165,120), New Jersey ($161,110), 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
Other Healthcare Jobs in North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Surgeons All Other $377,270/yr North Carolina +134.3% vs this role
- Dermatologists $360,910/yr North Carolina +124.1% vs this role
- Emergency Medicine Physicians $340,980/yr North Carolina +111.7% vs this role
- General Internal Medicine Physicians $283,840/yr North Carolina +76.3% vs this role
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists $249,890/yr North Carolina +55.2% vs this role
- Physicians All Other $247,750/yr North Carolina +53.9% vs this role
- Podiatrists $241,300/yr North Carolina +49.8% vs this role
- Anesthesiologists $239,200/yr North Carolina +48.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Optometrists salary in North Carolina?
The average Optometrists salary in North Carolina is $161,030 per year (median $161,560), which is 13.8% above the national average of $141,550.
How does North Carolina rank for Optometrists pay?
North Carolina ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($165,120/yr).
How much do entry-level Optometrists make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Optometrists in North Carolina earn about $94,320 per year and the 25th percentile is $123,250.
How much do Optometrists make per hour in North Carolina?
About $77.42 per hour, based on the $161,030 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Optometrists work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 1,140 Optometrists jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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