Optometrist Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $155,830 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $155,830/year (≈ $74.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $166,485 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the estimated optometrist salary in Pinehurst, NC is projected to reach $155,830, reflecting an innovative local market where ownership structures significantly impact compensation. With earnings ranging from $93,736 at the lowest percentile to as high as $216,675 in the top tier, practitioners in Pinehurst can experience varying financial outcomes based on whether they work as associates in established practices, own their own practices, or are employed by retail optical chains. The BLS data derives these estimates from state-level analyses and considers regional price adjustments, which is essential given the unique context of Pinehurst's job market where only four optometrists are currently employed.
About the Pinehurst Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,736 | $45.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,116 | $62.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,830 | $74.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,226 | $88.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,675 | $104.17 |
Median Salary Position
10.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,939 (2026 est.). At $155,830, the local median is 10.82% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be above the median
How Pinehurst Optometrist Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $155,830/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,101 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +10.82% more |
Optometrists in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $155,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.82% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 7.30% below the North Carolina state average of $168,101.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst 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.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $155,830 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $166,485 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,723
2025 BLS Actual
$151,350
2026 Current Est.
$155,830
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,723 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,826 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,752 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,182 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,782 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,830 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $127,723 (2019) to $151,350 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,720 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $93,736 – $130,116 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,116 – $155,830 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,830 – $183,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,226 – $216,675 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Pinehurst
Analyzing the factors influencing optometrist pay in Pinehurst reveals a nuanced employment landscape. The cost of living in the area, with a CoL index of 93.6, suggests that take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost regions, enhancing overall purchasing power. Among the current employers, private optometry practices typically offer the highest salaries, particularly those that have retained ownership or have well-established patient bases. In contrast, retail chains might provide more stable hours but often come with lower pay ceilings. Variability in income can arise from practice ownership equity and the demand for specialties like ocular disease management, particularly as optometry scope has expanded to include glaucoma treatment in many states. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional qualifications through residency training or acquiring certifications relevant to surgical procedures can be beneficial strategies within this specific Pinehurst market.
More salary data for Pinehurst, 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 $151,350 for optometristsin the Pinehurst 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 Pinehurst 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