Optometrist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $168,648 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $168,648/year (≈ $81.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $174,906 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, practicing as an optometrist in Wilmington, North Carolina offers a median annual salary of $168,648, which is notably higher than the national median of $140,612, reflecting a premium of approximately 19.94%. Salaries for optometrists in this region range significantly, from $113,029 at the 10th percentile to as high as $365,961 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlight the potential for substantial earnings, particularly for those who own their practice or work in specialized environments, such as ophthalmology practices, which often provide lucrative referral arrangements. Wilmington’s job market is supported by a concentration of about 120 optometrists, indicating demand for eye care services in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,029 | $54.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,780 | $66.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,648 | $81.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $227,892 | $109.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $365,961 | $175.95 |
Median Salary Position
19.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $252,932 (2026 est.). At $168,648, the local median is 19.94% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wilmington Optometrist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $168,648/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,144 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +19.94% more |
Optometrists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $168,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.94% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.30% above the North Carolina state average of $168,144.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $168,648 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $174,906 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$103,480
2025 BLS Actual
$163,800
2026 Current Est.
$168,648
2019–2027 Growth
+67.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $158,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $161,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $168,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,648 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,640 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 58.3% from $103,480 (2019) to $163,800 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $173,640 by 2027 — a total increase of $70,160 (67.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $113,029 – $138,780 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,780 – $168,648 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,648 – $227,892 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $227,892 – $365,961 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Wilmington
The local job market reflects a cost of living index of 96.422, which is below the national average and suggests that optometrists in Wilmington enjoy greater purchasing power compared to other regions. Those seeking the highest optometrist pay in Wilmington, NC, can benefit from aligning with private optometry practices, especially those that have retained independence from retail chains or private equity ownership, as these settings tend to offer higher compensation structures. Factors influencing income disparities include the ownership model, experience level, and whether optometrists pursue additional specialization through residency training, which enhances their marketability. For maximizing pay, establishing a robust local network, considering positions in practices with an OD/MD model, and negotiating favorable terms with health providers can make a significant difference in an optometrist's career trajectory in Wilmington. By understanding these dynamics, optometrists can better navigate their compensation landscape.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Wilmington?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Wilmington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $163,800 for optometristsin the Wilmington 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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