Optometrist Hourly Pay in Asheville, NC: $83.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Asheville, NC runs $83.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $172,952 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Asheville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $86.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,772 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Asheville's optometrists earn a median hourly rate of $83.15, significantly higher than the national median of $67.60. This pay is particularly attractive for those seeking part-time or per-diem positions in various settings such as private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and outpatient eye clinics. For those working a typical part-time schedule of three days a week (approximately 24 hours), the ability to earn at this hourly rate offers an appealing income for those balancing other responsibilities. Meanwhile, the hourly earnings for entry-level optometrists can start at $47.14, while seasoned professionals may reach up to $102.57. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates a strong earning potential that reflects Asheville's growing demand for optometric services.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.14 | $377.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.32 | $498.57 |
| Median (P50) | $83.15 | $665.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98.20 | $785.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.57 | $820.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Asheville
Based on $83.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.15/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Asheville, NC can expect to earn approximately $172,953 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,781. With a cost-of-living index of 96.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Asheville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Asheville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,326.02 | $14,413 | $172,953 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,995.61 | $8,648 | $103,772 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,330.41 | $5,765 | $69,181 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Asheville) | $83.15 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Asheville, NC earn a median of $172,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.00% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.90% above the North Carolina state average of $168,078.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.15/hr = $103,772/year (purchasing power: $107,529).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $172,953/year (purchasing power: $179,215).
CoL index: 96.506 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Asheville grew 50.0% from $53.84/hr (2019) to $80.76/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.61/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Asheville
Focusing on part-time options, an optometrist working three days a week in Asheville can expect to take home around $103,776 annually, a solid income compared to some full-time positions. Per-diem and locum tenens optometrists often see varied daily rates; those filling in at retail optical chains may charge between $500 and $800 per day, while agency fill-ins at OD/MD practices can bill between $700 and $1,200. Residency-trained ocular disease specialists in hospital systems can command higher rates ranging from $90 to $130 per hour. Hourly rates differ widely across employer types in Asheville, with private practices typically offering lower rates compared to retail chains, where optometrists might sacrifice benefits for higher pay. Negotiating an hourly wage in Asheville may require balancing hourly compensation against benefits such as health insurance, prompting some optometrists to accept lower pay for more comprehensive support. Understanding these dynamics can provide valuable insight for those entering the field.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Asheville in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Asheville?
Are optometrists in Asheville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Asheville?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Asheville?
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Asheville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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