Optometrist salary in Asheville, NC
Optometrists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $167,980 a year ($80.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,200 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 4% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $161,560. There are 0.23 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $162,950, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| 25th percentile | $125,900 | $60.53 |
| Median | $167,980 | $80.76 |
| 75th percentile | $198,380 | $95.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,200 | $99.62 |
| Average (mean) | $162,950 | $78.34 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,998.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,999.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,460.77 |
| Weekly | $3,230.38 |
| Hourly | $80.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $166,880 | 40 |
| Wilmington, NC | $163,800 | 120 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $163,290 | 240 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $162,540 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $157,210 | 260 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $136,920 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,590 | $39.22 |
| Physicians, All Other | $360,010 | $173.08 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,770 | $61.43 |
| Pharmacist | $136,460 | $65.61 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,260 | $63.11 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $225,830 | $108.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,170 | $48.64 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,480 | $47.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,660 | $40.22 |
| Veterinarian | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $223,630 | $107.51 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Dentists, General | $202,630 | $97.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Asheville, NC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Asheville, NC metro area is $167,980 a year, or $80.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $207,200 a year. The top 25% earn $198,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,220 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $125,900 or less.
How many optometrists work in Asheville, NC?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.