Optometrist Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $81.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Wilmington, NC runs $81.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $168,648 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $84.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $101,189 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, an optometrist earns a median hourly pay of $81.08, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $67.60. This attractive wage allows for flexible work arrangements, making it ideal for part-time optometrists working three days a week. Many may find themselves in various settings, such as private exam rooms, retail optical chains, or university clinics, where they can leverage their expertise for competitive hourly rates. With an hourly range extending from $54.34 for entry-level optometrists up to $175.95 for the highest earners, the profession offers diverse financial opportunities for those ranked among the top tier. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.34 | $434.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66.72 | $533.74 |
| Median (P50) | $81.08 | $648.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109.57 | $876.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175.95 | $1407.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $81.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.08/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $168,648 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $97,297. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,243.24 | $14,054 | $168,648 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,945.94 | $8,432 | $101,189 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,297.30 | $5,622 | $67,459 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Wilmington) | $81.08 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $168,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.94% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.30% above the North Carolina state average of $168,144.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.08/hr = $101,189/year (purchasing power: $104,944).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $168,648/year (purchasing power: $174,907).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+67.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $75.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $77.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $81.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Wilmington grew 58.3% from $49.75/hr (2019) to $78.75/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.48/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Evaluating part-time work in Wilmington reveals that an optometrist working 24 hours per week would earn significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, while some per diem optometrists can command daily rates between $500-$800 at retail outlets, those stepping into OD/MD practices might see daily earnings ranging from $700 up to $1,200. Additionally, residency-trained ocular disease optometrists can earn $90-$130 per hour in hospital settings. Hourly rates can differ based on the type of employer: private practices, retail chains, and military health systems each offer unique compensation standards. Furthermore, while some optometrists opt for positions with lower hourly wages to obtain health benefits, others might sacrifice benefits for higher pay. When negotiating, potential candidates must consider these factors carefully and align their expectations with both financial goals and the specifics of the local market in Wilmington.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Wilmington?
Are optometrists in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Wilmington?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
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 Wilmington. 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