Optometrist Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $174,240 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $174,240/year (≈ $83.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $186,154 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, optometrists can expect a robust median annual salary of $174,240 in 2026, which significantly outpaces the national median of $140,612. The salary range reflects the local market dynamics, with earnings spanning from $101,059 at the lower end to $266,381 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate the strength of optometry positions in the area, particularly in light of revenue opportunities from the OD/MD surgical co-management model that can enhance overall compensation. Such earnings are indicative of a vibrant job market where demand for eye care professionals is on the rise, particularly as the scope of practice for optometrists continues to expand in states like North Carolina.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,059 | $48.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,568 | $63.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,240 | $83.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $214,043 | $102.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $266,381 | $128.07 |
Median Salary Position
23.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $165,322 (2026 est.). At $174,240, the local median is 23.92% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Optometrist Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $174,240/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,186 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +23.92% more |
Optometrists in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $174,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.92% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $168,186.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $174,240 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $186,154 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$142,812
2025 BLS Actual
$169,231
2026 Current Est.
$174,240
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,812 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,282 | Actual |
| 2021 | $154,027 | Actual |
| 2022 | $155,625 | Actual |
| 2023 | $163,395 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,107 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,231 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,240 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,398 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $142,812 (2019) to $169,231 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,398 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,586 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $101,059 – $131,568 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,568 – $174,240 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,240 – $214,043 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $214,043 – $266,381 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Winston-Salem
Within the local job market, 59 optometrists make their living in Winston-Salem, emphasizing the community's potential for optometric services. The cost-of-living index here stands at 93.6, suggesting that salaries can stretch further compared to many cities across the nation. Employers vary widely, from private optometry practices to retail optical chains like Walmart Vision and ophthalmology practices that employ the lucrative OD/MD model. Factors contributing to the pay variation include practice ownership equity, the experience from residency training, and the nuances of post-acquisition employment terms in newly private-equity owned practices. To maximize their potential income in this specific market, optometrists should consider residency programs, look for collaborative positions within surgical co-management frameworks, and stay informed about local employment trends to make strategic career decisions.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Winston-Salem, NC in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Winston-Salem?
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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 $169,231 for optometristsin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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