Optometrist Salary in Durham, NC: $171,820 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Durham, NC earns a median $171,820/year (≈ $82.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $176,096 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Durham, North Carolina, is projected to reach a notable $171,820, significantly above the national median of $140,612. This competitive pay structure reflects varying employment opportunities in the area, influenced by factors such as practice ownership, employment as associates, and positions within retail chains. Salaries for optometrists in Durham can range from $103,856 at the lower end (P10) to $223,948 for those at the high end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, signal a healthy local job market, with each pathway offering unique earning potentials and responsibilities, particularly as many optometrists merge clinical practice with entrepreneurial ventures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,856 | $49.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,664 | $59.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,820 | $82.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,068 | $101.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,948 | $107.67 |
Median Salary Position
22.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,092 (2026 est.). At $171,820, the local median is 22.19% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be above the median
How Durham Optometrist Pay Compares
Durham median: $171,820/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,121 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +22.19% more |
Optometrists in Durham, NC earn a median of $171,820 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.19% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% above the North Carolina state average of $168,121.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $171,820 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $176,096 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$140,828
2025 BLS Actual
$166,880
2026 Current Est.
$171,820
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $140,828 | Actual |
| 2020 | $144,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $170,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,820 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,906 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $140,828 (2019) to $166,880 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,906 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,078 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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) | $103,856 – $124,664 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,664 – $171,820 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,820 – $211,068 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,068 – $223,948 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Durham
Considering the local job market, there are currently 40 optometrists employed in Durham, revealing a consistent demand for eye care professionals. With a cost-of-living index at 97.572, living expenses are slightly below the national average, which means that take-home pay often goes further in terms of purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices tend to pay higher than retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, especially for those with residency training in ocular disease and access to surgical referral revenue through OD/MD models. Factors like practice ownership and post-acquisition terms of private practices acquired by private equity firms also create a substantial pay disparity. To optimize income potential in this market, optometrists should consider enhancing their skill sets through residency programs and exploring ownership options to leverage the financial benefits of practice equity.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Durham?
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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 $166,880 for optometristsin the Durham 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, 5-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