Optometrist Salary in Hickory, NC: $140,973 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hickory, NC earns a median $140,973/year (≈ $67.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $159,317 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, North Carolina, the projected median salary for optometrists in 2026 stands at $140,973, positioning the city slightly ahead of the national median of $140,612. Compensation for optometrists in the area ranges from $112,381 at the lowest decile (P10) to a high of $199,022 (P90), based on data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. This favorable salary structure reflects the city's market dynamics, where optometrists can find diverse employment settings, including private practices and retail chains, while considering practice ownership as a lucrative option. The choice of practice model can significantly influence earnings; ownership often brings the potential for higher income compared to typical employed associate roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,381 | $54.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $140,973 | $67.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,973 | $67.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,973 | $67.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,022 | $95.68 |
Median Salary Position
0.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,641 (2026 est.). At $140,973, the local median is 0.26% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Optometrist Pay Compares
Hickory median: $140,973/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,025 | -16.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.26% more |
Optometrists in Hickory, NC earn a median of $140,973 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.26% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 16.10% below the North Carolina state average of $168,025.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $140,973 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $159,317 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,660
2025 BLS Actual
$136,920
2026 Current Est.
$140,973
2019–2027 Growth
+86.9%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,353 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,619 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,912 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,198 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,973 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,146 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 76.3% from $77,660 (2019) to $136,920 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,146 by 2027 — a total increase of $67,486 (86.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $112,381 – $140,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $140,973 – $140,973 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,973 – $140,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,973 – $199,022 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hickory
The local job market consists of around 40 optometrists, which helps create a tight-knit community while also indicating a competitive landscape. Hickory's cost of living index is at 88.486, suggesting a more affordable environment for residents compared to many national averages, enhancing purchasing power for those earning in the optometrist pay range. Those looking to maximize their salary should consider practice settings with higher pay scales, such as ophthalmology practices or vision insurance plans, as these can provide enhanced revenue opportunities, particularly when working alongside eye surgeons. Additionally, pursuing residency training can offer financial benefits and open doors to advanced practice roles that capitalize on expanded scopes, including glaucoma management and other specialized procedures. Optometrists in Hickory looking to increase their earnings might benefit from strategic positioning within the evolving market, seeking partnerships that align with high-growth sectors such as ocular disease management or the burgeoning telehealth landscape.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Hickory?
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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 $136,920 for optometristsin the Hickory 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, 3-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