Optometrist Salary in Thomasville, NC: $164,939 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Thomasville, NC earns a median $164,939/year (≈ $79.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Thomasville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $176,217 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thomasville, NC, the optometrist salary in 2026 is projected to reach $164,939 annually, significantly surpassing the national median of $140,612. This figure reflects a vibrant local market that benefits from an increasing trend toward OD/MD surgical co-management, which adds considerable value to compensation by incorporating shared revenue from surgical referrals. The salary range for optometrists in Thomasville spans from $95,664 at the 10th percentile to $244,365 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential within the field. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, highlight an attractive compensation climate for optometrists in the area, particularly when considering the projected annual growth rate of 2.96%.
About the Thomasville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,664 | $45.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,656 | $62.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,939 | $79.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,327 | $92.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $244,365 | $117.49 |
Median Salary Position
17.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thomasville
In Thomasville, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,701 (2026 est.). At $164,939, the local median is 17.3% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thomasville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thomasville Optometrist Pay Compares
Thomasville median: $164,939/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thomasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,133 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +17.30% more |
Optometrists in Thomasville, NC earn a median of $164,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.30% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $168,133.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thomasville 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.
Thomasville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $164,939 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $176,217 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$135,189
2025 BLS Actual
$160,197
2026 Current Est.
$164,939
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Thomasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,189 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,473 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,804 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,317 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,672 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,375 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,197 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,939 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,821 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thomasville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $135,189 (2019) to $160,197 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,821 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,632 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thomasville 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) | $95,664 – $130,656 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,656 – $164,939 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,939 – $192,327 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,327 – $244,365 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Thomasville
With only four optometrists currently employed in Thomasville, the job market appears relatively tight, suggesting opportunities for those entering the field. The area's cost-of-living index at 93.6 enhances take-home pay for optometrists, allowing them to stretch their earnings further than in many higher-cost regions. Employers offering competitive salaries include both private optometry practices and ophthalmology centers that utilize the OD/MD model, which often leverages surgical referral income to elevate compensation. Variability in pay is driven by factors such as ownership equity in private practices, differences in patient volume, and the value of advanced residency training in ocular disease. For new optometrists, aligning with larger groups or pursuing ongoing education in specialty areas can be advantageous strategies for maximizing pay in the Thomasville market while adapting to the evolving scope of practice.
More salary data for Thomasville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Thomasville?
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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 $160,197 for optometristsin the Thomasville 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 Thomasville 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