Optometrist salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Optometrists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $136,920 a year ($65.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $109,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,300 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 15% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $161,560. There are 0.27 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $142,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $109,150 | $52.48 |
| 25th percentile | $136,920 | $65.83 |
| Median | $136,920 | $65.83 |
| 75th percentile | $136,920 | $65.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,300 | $92.93 |
| Average (mean) | $142,330 | $68.43 |
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 | $11,410 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,705 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,266.15 |
| Weekly | $2,633.08 |
| Hourly | $65.83 |
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 |
| 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 |
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $313,460 | $150.70 |
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | $65.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Dentists, General | $193,320 | $92.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Veterinarian | $124,970 | $60.08 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $136,920 a year, or $65.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $109,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $193,300 a year. The top 25% earn $136,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $109,150 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $136,920 or less.
How many optometrists work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.