Optometrist Salary in Boone, NC: $160,469 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Boone, NC earns a median $160,469/year (≈ $77.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Boone's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $171,441 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Boone, North Carolina, optometrists can expect a competitive median annual salary of $160,469 in 2026, reflecting a robust local market for eye care professionals. The salary range for this profession in the area stretches from $93,072 at the tenth percentile to a high of $216,489 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that the Boone optometrist pay not only aligns with but also surpasses the national median salary by approximately 14.12%. The compensation in this region could be influenced by the structural choices of practice ownership, whether professionals operate as independent practitioners, within group practices, or as part of retail chains, each affecting income potential and job satisfaction uniquely.
About the Boone Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,072 | $44.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,890 | $62.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,469 | $77.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,932 | $88.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,489 | $104.08 |
Median Salary Position
14.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boone
In Boone, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,417 (2026 est.). At $160,469, the local median is 14.12% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boone: You'd be above the median
How Boone Optometrist Pay Compares
Boone median: $160,469/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boone Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,207 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +14.12% more |
Optometrists in Boone, NC earn a median of $160,469 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.12% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.60% below the North Carolina state average of $168,207.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boone 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.
Boone, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $160,469 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $171,441 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,525
2025 BLS Actual
$155,856
2026 Current Est.
$160,469
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Boone (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,525 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,721 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,325 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,481 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,141 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,856 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,469 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,219 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boone metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $131,525 (2019) to $155,856 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,219 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,694 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boone 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) | $93,072 – $129,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,890 – $160,469 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,469 – $184,932 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,932 – $216,489 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Boone
The job market for optometrists in Boone is relatively small, with only six professionals currently employed, contributing to a tightly knit community of eye care providers. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, Boone offers a more affordable living situation compared to the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local optometrists. Among local employers, private practices and ophthalmology groups typically offer the highest salaries, particularly those that integrate optometrists into their surgical referral networks. Factors driving salary variations can include the business model, such as practice ownership equity or the presence of residency training in specialty areas like ocular disease. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Boone, pursuing advanced clinical training, expanding their scope of practice, and considering ownership opportunities in a practice could yield significant financial rewards, reflecting an increasing demand for comprehensive vision care.
More salary data for Boone, 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 $155,856 for optometristsin the Boone 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 Boone 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