Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in High Point, NC: $96,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the High Point, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $96,970 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out High Point's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $103,600 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($167,190) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the optometry field in High Point, NC can expect to start their careers at a salary around $96,970 in 2026. This starting optometrist salary in High Point reflects a notable gap from the median annual salary projected at $167,190, indicating that new professionals may begin their careers earning approximately 58% of the city’s median. However, there is a well-defined growth trajectory, allowing entry-level optometrists to advance to about $133,729 within a few years. With a healthy annual growth rate of 2.96% for the profession, High Point presents an encouraging market for recent optometry graduates seeking stable entry-level opportunities.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in High Point
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in High Point
Entry-level optometrists in High Point, NC typically start between $96,970 and $133,729 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $161,015 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $167,190 — 18.9% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in North Carolina of $145,000 represents just 149.53% of the starting optometrist pay ($96,970/year) in High Point. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOE-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs. Public school OD programs offer lower in-state tuition, while private institutions carry higher out-of-pocket costs. Totals reflect tuition and fees for the 4-year professional program; clinical rotation travel and living costs add to the total cost of attendance.
OD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in High Point
- 1Research the High Point market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $96,970 to $133,729, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the optometry field — employers in NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in High Point, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in High Point for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5High Point's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Optometrist Compensation Range
The optometrist wage spread in High Point is $161,015 ( 166.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $96,970, experienced hygienists can earn up to $257,985.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$74,470
2025 BLS Actual
$94,182
2026 Current Est.
$96,970
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,477 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,181 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,741 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,182 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,182 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,840 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in High Point, NC grew 26.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $74,470 in 2019 to $94,182 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $99,840. New graduates entering the High Point job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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.
Starting Your optometry Career in High Point
In High Point, employers who frequently hire new graduates include well-known retail chains such as LensCrafters, Visionworks, and MyEyeDr. These organizations often offer structured mentoring and ramp-up periods for new optometrists. Additionally, local optometry and medical practices tend to prefer candidates who have completed residency training, particularly for specialized roles, while the VA system often seeks newly graduated optometrists who are residency-trained as well. To enhance their starting salary prospects in North Carolina, new grads should consider obtaining certifications such as the one for glaucoma management or oral pharmaceutical agents; having an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution and passing the NBEO Parts I-III is crucial. As the scope of practice has expanded, those who actively pursue additional training in areas like laser procedures may find themselves better positioned for higher salaries in the competitive early years of their careers.
More salary data for High Point, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for optometrists in High Point in 2026?
How fast do optometrist salaries grow in High Point?
Is optometry school worth it in High Point?
What do new optometrists make right out of school in High Point?
How do I become a optometrist in North Carolina?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new optometry graduates. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in High Point. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for High Point 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