Optometrist Salary in North Carolina: $166,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $166,153/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $177,514 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Winston-Salem ($169,231), Chapel Hill ($168,275), Greensboro ($168,101).
In 2026, the average median salary for optometrists in North Carolina is projected to be $166,153, which is 18.2% higher than the national median of $140,612. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Winston-Salem being the highest-paying city at $174,240 and Hickory at the lower end with $140,973. This gap of $33,267 can be attributed to several factors, including local demand for eye care, the cost of living, and the number of existing practitioners in each area. North Carolina’s state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are designed to ensure that optometrists provide safe and effective care. Demand for optometrists is being driven by an aging population, increased awareness of eye health, and advances in technology. With a projected growth rate of 2.96%, the job market for optometrists in the state remains steady, providing numerous opportunities for employment. As of now, there are 1,337 optometrists employed across North Carolina, with the top cities for earnings expected to be Winston-Salem, Chapel Hill at $173,256, Greensboro at $173,077, Asheville at $172,952, and Durham at $171,820. The outlook for the profession in North Carolina is favorable, signaling a strong demand in the years ahead.
North Carolina Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $40,443 (lowest entry-level) to $365,961 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina optometrists earn 18.16% more than the national median (+$25,541/year difference).
North Carolina Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in North Carolina range from $89,568 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $242,905 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $166,153. The North Carolina median is $25,541 above the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $79.88/hr. Approximately 1,337 optometrists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$118,834
2025 BLS Actual
$161,376
2026 Current Est.
$166,153
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,834 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,326 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,869 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,441 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,618 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,376 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $171,071 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 35.8% from $118,834 (2019) to $161,376 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $171,071 by 2027 — a total increase of $52,237 (43.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | $174,240 | 93.6 | $186,154 |
| Chapel Hill | $173,256 | 93.6 | $185,103 |
| Greensboro | $173,077 | 93.6 | $184,911 |
| Fayetteville | $171,082 | 93.6 | $182,780 |
| Winston | $167,351 | 92.043 | $181,818 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $89,568 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $166,153 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $242,905 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winston-Salem | $174,240 |
| 2 | Chapel Hill | $173,256 |
| 3 | Greensboro | $173,077 |
| 4 | Asheville | $172,952 |
| 5 | Durham | $171,820 |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $171,082 |
| 7 | Huntersville | $169,924 |
| 8 | Kannapolis | $169,657 |
| 9 | Apex | $169,258 |
| 10 | Jacksonville | $168,952 |
| 11 | Wilmington | $168,648 |
| 12 | Raleigh | $168,123 |
| 13 | Winston | $167,351 |
| 14 | Cary | $167,323 |
| 15 | High Point | $167,190 |
| 16 | Statesville | $166,726 |
| 17 | Kernersville | $166,583 |
| 18 | Matthews | $166,191 |
| 19 | Cornelius | $165,905 |
| 20 | Sanford | $165,760 |
| 21 | Wake Forest | $165,756 |
| 22 | Morrisville | $165,682 |
| 23 | Fuquay-Varina | $165,238 |
| 24 | Salisbury | $165,213 |
| 25 | Thomasville | $164,939 |
| 26 | New Bern | $164,874 |
| 27 | Mint Hill | $164,835 |
| 28 | Burlington | $164,717 |
| 29 | Concord | $164,512 |
| 30 | Greenville | $164,199 |
| 31 | Rocky Mount | $163,294 |
| 32 | Holly Springs | $162,225 |
| 33 | Charlotte | $161,863 |
| 34 | Mooresville | $161,716 |
| 35 | Monroe | $161,651 |
| 36 | Garner | $161,286 |
| 37 | Wilson | $161,168 |
| 38 | Boone | $160,469 |
| 39 | Indian Trail | $159,081 |
| 40 | Carrboro | $158,460 |
| 41 | Gastonia | $158,412 |
| 42 | Leland | $156,120 |
| 43 | Pinehurst | $155,830 |
| 44 | Hickory | $140,973 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore optometrist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in North Carolina?
How many optometrists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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