Optometrist Salary in Asheville, NC: $172,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Asheville, NC earns a median $172,952/year (≈ $83.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $179,214 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Asheville, North Carolina, the projected 2026 median annual optometrist salary stands at $172,952, reflecting both the city's competitive job market and the state's expanding scope of practice which includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures. This figure represents a significant 23% increase compared to the national median of $140,612 for the same year. The salary range for optometrists in Asheville varies widely, with the lowest earners pulling in around $98,039 and those at the 90th percentile earning as much as $213,333. Such figures, reported from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 data, indicate a robust demand for optometrists in the region, shaped by an evolving healthcare landscape and increasing patient needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,039 | $47.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,627 | $62.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,952 | $83.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,252 | $98.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,333 | $102.57 |
Median Salary Position
23.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,294 (2026 est.). At $172,952, the local median is 23% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be above the median
How Asheville Optometrist Pay Compares
Asheville median: $172,952/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,078 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +23.00% more |
Optometrists in Asheville, NC earn a median of $172,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.00% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.90% above the North Carolina state average of $168,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.506 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $172,952 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $179,214 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,990
2025 BLS Actual
$167,980
2026 Current Est.
$172,952
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,695 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,072 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 50.0% from $111,990 (2019) to $167,980 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,072 by 2027 — a total increase of $66,082 (59.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $98,039 – $129,627 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,627 – $172,952 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,952 – $204,252 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,252 – $213,333 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Asheville
Focusing on the local employment environment, Asheville hosts approximately 40 optometrists, which contributes to a relatively stable job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 96.506, slightly below the national average, the take-home earnings for optometrists can stretch further compared to cities with a higher cost base. Employers that tend to pay the most include private optometry practices, which often offer partnership opportunities, and ophthalmology practices employing an OD/MD model that can leverage surgical referrals for additional revenue. The disparity in pay is influenced by various factors, including practice ownership dynamics, residency training in ocular disease, and the terms of post-acquisition employment at private equity-owned practices. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Asheville, pursuing residency or engaging in practice ownership can be particularly advantageous strategies, enhancing both earning potential and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $167,980 for optometristsin the Asheville 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
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