Optometrist Salary in Apex, NC: $169,258 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Apex, NC earns a median $169,258/year (≈ $81.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $180,831 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Apex, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $169,258, significantly higher than the national median of $140,612, reflecting a 20.37% premium over the average. The salary range for local optometrists varies greatly, starting at $98,169 (P10) and reaching up to $243,896 (P90), indicative of the diverse employment structures in the area, including private practice ownership, associated employment models, and retail chain settings. This strong earning potential speaks to a market that is both competitive and evolving, particularly as the scope of optometry expands, creating opportunities for higher income in specialized fields and ownership positions.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,169 | $47.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,590 | $67.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,258 | $81.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,384 | $96.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $243,896 | $117.26 |
Median Salary Position
20.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $145,727 (2026 est.). At $169,258, the local median is 20.37% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Optometrist Pay Compares
Apex median: $169,258/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,081 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +20.37% more |
Optometrists in Apex, NC earn a median of $169,258 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.37% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $168,081.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $169,258 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $180,831 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$138,729
2025 BLS Actual
$164,392
2026 Current Est.
$169,258
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,099 | Actual |
| 2021 | $149,622 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,175 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,722 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,501 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,392 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,258 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,268 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $138,729 (2019) to $164,392 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $174,268 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,539 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $98,169 – $139,590 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,590 – $169,258 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,258 – $201,384 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,384 – $243,896 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Apex
The local job market in Apex currently employs 16 optometrists, which supports a robust but localized employment ecosystem. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, the purchasing power of optometrists in Apex remains favorable when considering their expected earnings. Private optometry practices generally offer higher pay compared to retail chains like Walmart Vision or LensCrafters, especially for those with residency training in ocular disease or following an OD/MD model that incorporates surgical revenue sharing. Factors like practice ownership, specialty training, and the transition of private practices to private equity ownership can expand the earning potential significantly. For aspiring optometrists or current practitioners, focusing on specialized training and exploring ownership opportunities may yield the best chances for maximizing pay in this competitive Apex market.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Apex, NC in 2026?
Is Apex, NC a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Apex?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Apex?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Apex?
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $164,392 for optometristsin the Apex metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apex 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