Optometrist Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $168,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $168,952/year (≈ $81.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $180,504 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, optometrists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $168,952 in 2026, a figure that stands significantly above the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in the area extends from $97,992 at the 10th percentile to $242,834 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied earning potential depending on factors such as practice ownership, experience, and specific employment settings. With 17 optometrists currently employed in Jacksonville, there exists a localized market that is influenced by the structural choices between those in private practices, retail chains, and partnerships with ophthalmology clinics. This structural dynamic shapes both compensation levels and job opportunities in the region, indicating a competitive job market for optometrists in this part of North Carolina.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,992 | $47.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,526 | $63.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,952 | $81.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $200,646 | $96.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $242,834 | $116.75 |
Median Salary Position
20.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,842 (2026 est.). At $168,952, the local median is 20.15% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Optometrist Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $168,952/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,112 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +20.15% more |
Optometrists in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $168,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.15% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.50% above the North Carolina state average of $168,112.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville 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.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $168,952 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $180,504 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$138,478
2025 BLS Actual
$164,095
2026 Current Est.
$168,952
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,478 | Actual |
| 2020 | $141,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $149,352 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,902 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,436 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $138,478 (2019) to $164,095 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $173,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,475 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $97,992 – $132,526 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,526 – $168,952 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,952 – $200,646 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $200,646 – $242,834 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Jacksonville
The local job market for optometrists in Jacksonville has shown resilience, with a current employment figure of 17 practitioners. This small but steady workforce operates within a cost-of-living index of 93.6, which indicates lower-than-average living expenses relative to the national average. This context ultimately enhances the effective purchasing power of healthcare professionals, including optometrists. In this area, private optometry practices tend to offer higher compensation than retail chains such as LensCrafters or Pearle Vision, especially for optometrists who engage in more specialized roles or hold residencies. The pay disparities can often be linked to various factors, including practice ownership equity, collaborations with ophthalmologists, and the level of residency training. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Jacksonville, maintaining a focus on specialty training and exploring opportunities in private practice environments can significantly influence earning potential moving forward.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $164,095 for optometristsin the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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