Optometrist Salary in Matthews, NC: $166,191 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Matthews, NC earns a median $166,191/year (≈ $79.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $177,554 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $166,191 in 2026, optometrists in Matthews, North Carolina, benefit significantly from the collaborative potential of the OD/MD model. This partnership often enhances revenue through surgical co-management, allowing optometrists not just to provide primary eye care but also to capitalize on referral income from ophthalmic surgeries. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $96,391 at the 10th percentile to $232,988 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability in practice settings and levels of experience. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, indicating a robust job market for those in this field in Matthews.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,391 | $46.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,171 | $64.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,191 | $79.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,170 | $93.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $232,988 | $112.01 |
Median Salary Position
18.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,597 (2026 est.). At $166,191, the local median is 18.19% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be above the median
How Matthews Optometrist Pay Compares
Matthews median: $166,191/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,039 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +18.19% more |
Optometrists in Matthews, NC earn a median of $166,191 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.19% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $168,039.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $166,191 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $177,554 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$136,215
2025 BLS Actual
$161,413
2026 Current Est.
$166,191
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,524 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,911 | Actual |
| 2022 | $148,436 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,846 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,282 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,413 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,191 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $171,110 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $136,215 (2019) to $161,413 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $171,110 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,895 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $96,391 – $133,171 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,171 – $166,191 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,191 – $195,170 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,170 – $232,988 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Matthews
In Matthews, the job market includes eight optometrists currently practicing, reflecting a healthy demand for eye care providers. The cost of living index in the area is 93.6, which is below the national average, suggesting that optometrists can enjoy a relatively higher purchasing power compared to other regions. Notably, private optometry practices and those employing the OD/MD model tend to offer the most competitive pay. This salary spread can be attributed to various factors, including potential ownership equity in private practices, the addition of surgical revenue in collaborative environments, and the residency training many optometrists pursue, which can enhance earning potential. To maximize their compensation, aspiring optometrists should consider gaining experience in high-revenue areas, such as ocular disease or surgical co-management, and evaluate the employment terms associated with practices that have transitioned to private equity ownership, as these can significantly impact salary outcomes in the local market.
More salary data for Matthews, 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 $161,413 for optometristsin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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