Optometrist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Optometrists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $166,880 a year ($80.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,510 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 3% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $161,560. There are 0.12 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $164,510, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,870 | $48.50 |
| 25th percentile | $121,080 | $58.21 |
| Median | $166,880 | $80.23 |
| 75th percentile | $205,000 | $98.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,510 | $104.57 |
| Average (mean) | $164,510 | $79.09 |
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 | $13,906.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,953.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,418.46 |
| Weekly | $3,209.23 |
| Hourly | $80.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $167,980 | 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
| Pharmacist | $141,360 | $67.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,670 | $63.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,460 | $40.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $123,280 | $59.27 |
| Veterinarian | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| Dentists, General | $208,490 | $100.24 |
| Acupuncturist | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Audiologist | $92,470 | $44.46 |
| Recreational Therapist | $53,100 | $25.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $166,880 a year, or $80.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $217,510 a year. The top 25% earn $205,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,870 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $121,080 or less.
How many optometrists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.