Optometrist Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $83.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $83.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $173,256 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $88.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,952 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Chapel Hill, NC, offers an attractive optometrist hourly pay, with a median of $83.29 per hour that significantly exceeds the national average of $67.60. This premium can benefit various employment scenarios, making it an appealing locale for both full-time practitioners and part-time or per-diem assignments. For instance, professionals working three days a week could still earn a substantial income, reflecting the hourly range from $48.31 for entry-level positions to $126.93 for top earners in the field. Predominantly, optometrists in this area may find themselves in a variety of work settings such as private practices, retail chains, outpatient clinics, or university teaching facilities, where their pay aligns with the growing demand for their expertise in diverse optometric tasks.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.31 | $386.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.67 | $517.35 |
| Median (P50) | $83.29 | $666.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100.08 | $800.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126.93 | $1015.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $83.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.29/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $173,253 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,954. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,331.79 | $14,438 | $173,253 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,999.07 | $8,663 | $103,952 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,332.71 | $5,775 | $69,301 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Chapel Hill) | $83.29 |
| 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 Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $173,256 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.22% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.10% above the North Carolina state average of $168,046.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.29/hr = $103,952/year (purchasing power: $111,060).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $173,253/year (purchasing power: $185,099).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$68.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $69.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $73.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $74.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $78.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Chapel Hill grew 18.5% from $68.27/hr (2019) to $80.90/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.76/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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill
Considering the part-time earning potential, an optometrist working 24 hours a week may have a lucrative annual income compared to colleagues working full-time but both can thrive in Chapel Hill's job market. Per diem optometrists frequently invoice between $500-$800 per day at retail locations; those filling in at OD/MD practices may command between $700 and $1,200 daily. Residency-trained ocular disease specialists often enjoy hourly rates ranging from $90 to $130, particularly when servicing hospital systems. Wage disparities arise based on employer type within the Chapel Hill area: independent offices may offer less hourly pay but provide substantial benefits, while larger chains might pay more but lack health insurance. Therefore, negotiations should focus on the overall compensation package, weighing hourly pay against benefits—optometrists who are strategic about their employment choices can maximize their earning potential while balancing job satisfaction.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Chapel Hill in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Chapel Hill?
Are optometrists in Chapel Hill paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Chapel Hill?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Chapel Hill?
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 Chapel Hill. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chapel Hill 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