Optometrist Salary in Concord, NC: $164,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Concord, NC earns a median $164,512/year (≈ $79.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Concord's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $175,761 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Concord, North Carolina, optometrists can expect to see a promising salary outlook, with a projected median annual income of $164,512 in 2026. This figure showcases a competitive advantage over the national median of $140,612, reflecting a local pay premium of approximately 17%. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $95,417 at the 10th percentile to $247,731 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant potential for income growth based on experience and practice setting. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, further enhancing the appeal of practicing optometry in Concord, particularly for those involved in the OD/MD surgical co-management model that adds valuable revenue to their practice.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,417 | $45.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,021 | $61.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,512 | $79.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,209 | $96.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,731 | $119.10 |
Median Salary Position
17.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
In Concord, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,314 (2026 est.). At $164,512, the local median is 17% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Concord: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Concord Optometrist Pay Compares
Concord median: $164,512/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Concord Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,040 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +17.00% more |
Optometrists in Concord, NC earn a median of $164,512 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.00% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.10% below the North Carolina state average of $168,040.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Concord 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.
Concord, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $164,512 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $175,761 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
$134,838
2025 BLS Actual
$159,782
2026 Current Est.
$164,512
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,838 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,114 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,427 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,936 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,271 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,907 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,782 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,381 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Concord metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $134,838 (2019) to $159,782 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,381 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,543 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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) | $95,417 – $128,021 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,021 – $164,512 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,512 – $201,209 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,209 – $247,731 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Concord
The local job market for optometrists shows strength, with 24 individuals currently employed in this field within Concord. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that residents enjoy a lower living expense relative to the national average, which positively influences their disposable income. While private optometry practices and ophthalmology settings typically offer the most competitive pay, retail optical chains generally provide more stable employment options. Factors contributing to the salary spread include practice ownership equity, the revenue-sharing model in OD/MD collaborations, and the influence of training paths, such as ocular disease residencies. To enhance earning potential, optometrists in Concord should consider embracing expanded scopes of practice, pursuing collaborative arrangements with ophthalmologists, and staying informed about the evolving landscape of practice ownership in the area.
More salary data for Concord, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Concord, NC in 2026?
Is Concord, NC a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Concord?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Concord?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Concord?
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 $159,782 for optometristsin the Concord 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 Concord 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