Optometrist Salary in Burlington, NC: $164,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Burlington, NC earns a median $164,717/year (≈ $79.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $175,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, NC, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $164,717, which reflects a robust figure significantly above the national average of $140,612. This stable income range spans from $95,537 at the 10th percentile to $250,847 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from careful estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and regional price disparities. Given North Carolina's expanding optometry scope of practice, which includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and certain laser procedures, the local job market in Burlington appears poised for growth, enhancing both opportunities and compensation for professionals in this field.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,537 | $45.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,059 | $64.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,717 | $79.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,077 | $98.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $250,847 | $120.60 |
Median Salary Position
17.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $155,310 (2026 est.). At $164,717, the local median is 17.14% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Optometrist Pay Compares
Burlington median: $164,717/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,079 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +17.14% more |
Optometrists in Burlington, NC earn a median of $164,717 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.14% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $168,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington 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.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $164,717 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $175,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$135,007
2025 BLS Actual
$159,982
2026 Current Est.
$164,717
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,007 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,287 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,609 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,465 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,593 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $135,007 (2019) to $159,982 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,586 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $95,537 – $134,059 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,059 – $164,717 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,717 – $204,077 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,077 – $250,847 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Burlington
With only 14 optometrists currently employed in Burlington, the local market reveals a competitive yet promising environment for job seekers. The area's cost of living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that the purchasing power of salaries here is favorable compared to other regions. To maximize optometrist pay in Burlington, practitioners can benefit from specializing in areas with higher yields, such as residency-trained roles involving ocular disease management. Employers may vary in pay where private optometry practices often offer equity opportunities, while retail chains typically provide more stable salaries. Understanding the nuances of reimbursement models, especially those incorporating surgical referrals within OD/MD practices, can further help to elevate earnings in this developing market.
More salary data for Burlington, 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 $159,982 for optometristsin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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