Optometrist Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $80.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Raleigh, NC runs $80.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $168,123 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $82.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,881 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $80.83, optometrists in Raleigh, North Carolina, earn significantly more than the national median of $67.60 per hour. This higher rate not only reflects the demand for qualified optometrists in the region but also allows for an attractive standard of living, particularly for part-time professionals who may choose to work three days a week. In typical settings such as private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics, part-time or per-diem optometrists can expect to earn between $49.62 and $105.86 per hour, with opportunities for both entry-level and seasoned professionals across the pay spectrum. The official figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics underscore the potential profitability in the optical field and indicate a thriving employment environment for practitioners.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.62 | $396.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.24 | $497.91 |
| Median (P50) | $80.83 | $646.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99.02 | $792.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.86 | $846.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $80.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.83/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $168,135 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $97,001. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,233.36 | $14,011 | $168,135 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,940.01 | $8,407 | $100,881 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,293.34 | $5,604 | $67,254 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Raleigh) | $80.83 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $168,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.57% higher than the national median of $140,612.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.83/hr = $100,881/year (purchasing power: $102,775).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $168,135/year (purchasing power: $171,291).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+70.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Raleigh grew 61.2% from $48.69/hr (2019) to $78.51/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.23/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
The earning potential for part-time optometrists operating in Raleigh can be substantial. Working just three days a week, an optometrist might bring home a significant income compared to full-time counterparts. Per-diem optometrists often command impressive daily wages, with retail chain fill-in positions typically billing between $500 and $800 per day, while those in OD/MD practices can earn from $700 to $1,200 daily. The employment setting also influences hourly compensation, with private practices and retail chains offering different rates. Some may accept lower hourly wages for the security of benefits associated with full-time employment, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits for increased flexibility. During negotiations, understanding these nuances can be critical for hourly workers in Raleigh, as compensation packages often differ substantially between corporate optical chains and independently owned practices.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Raleigh in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Raleigh. 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