Optometrist salary in North Carolina
Optometrists in North Carolina earn a median of $161,560 a year ($77.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,340 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $136,570. North Carolina ranks 3rd of 51 states for optometrists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.23 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $161,030, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,320 | $45.35 |
| 25th percentile | $123,250 | $59.25 |
| Median | $161,560 | $77.67 |
| 75th percentile | $193,790 | $93.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,340 | $103.53 |
| Average (mean) | $161,030 | $77.42 |
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 | $13,463.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,731.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,213.85 |
| Weekly | $3,106.92 |
| Hourly | $77.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for optometrists in North Carolina is $161,560 a year, or $77.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of optometrists in North Carolina earn at least $215,340 a year. The top 25% earn $193,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,320 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $123,250 or less.
How many optometrists work in North Carolina?
About 1,140 optometrists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.