Optometrist Salary in High Point, NC: $167,190 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in High Point, NC earns a median $167,190/year (≈ $80.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in High Point's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $178,622 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In High Point, North Carolina, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $167,190 in 2026, showcasing a robust compensation structure relative to the national median of $140,612. Local salaries vary significantly, with a range stretching from $96,970 at the 10th percentile to $257,985 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, reflect the diverse practice ownership models in the area. Optometrists in High Point may choose between employment in private practices, retail chains, or integrated ophthalmology settings, each impacting earning potential. With 23 optometrists currently employed in the region, the competition and opportunities within the market reveal a nuanced job landscape that aligns with local economic dynamics.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,970 | $46.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,729 | $64.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,190 | $80.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,180 | $100.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $257,985 | $124.04 |
Median Salary Position
18.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in High Point
In High Point, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $161,015 (2026 est.). At $167,190, the local median is 18.9% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in High Point: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How High Point Optometrist Pay Compares
High Point median: $167,190/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | High Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,199 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +18.90% more |
Optometrists in High Point, NC earn a median of $167,190 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.90% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% below the North Carolina state average of $168,199.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
High Point 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.
High Point, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $167,190 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $178,622 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$137,033
2025 BLS Actual
$162,383
2026 Current Est.
$167,190
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,033 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,363 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,794 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,328 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,783 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,004 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,383 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,190 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,138 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the High Point metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $137,033 (2019) to $162,383 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,138 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,105 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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) | $96,970 – $133,729 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,729 – $167,190 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,190 – $208,180 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,180 – $257,985 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in High Point
The job market for optometrists in High Point demonstrates a favorable economic climate, highlighted by a cost-of-living index of 93.6, below the national average. This lower cost translates into enhanced purchasing power for optometrists, making the area attractive for both recent graduates and seasoned professionals. Among potential employers, private optometry practices typically offer more lucrative opportunities, particularly those led by owners with dual OD/MD capabilities who benefit from surgical revenue sharing. Factors influencing the salary range include practice ownership equity, the presence of residency-trained professionals, and the operational structures of retail chains compared to private settings. To maximize earnings in High Point, optometrists might consider pursuing advanced training in specialties like ocular disease or seeking positions in private equity-owned practices, which are on the rise following acquisitions in the local optometry market.
More salary data for High Point, 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 $162,383 for optometristsin the High Point 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 High Point 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