Optometrist salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Optometrists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $163,290 a year ($78.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,860 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $161,560. There are 0.32 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $164,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| 25th percentile | $125,730 | $60.45 |
| Median | $163,290 | $78.51 |
| 75th percentile | $200,040 | $96.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,860 | $102.82 |
| Average (mean) | $164,790 | $79.23 |
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 | $13,607.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,803.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,280.38 |
| Weekly | $3,140.19 |
| Hourly | $78.51 |
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 |
| 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,830 | $40.78 |
| Pharmacist | $133,120 | $64.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,150 | $61.61 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Physician Assistant | $124,300 | $59.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,900 | $48.03 |
| Physicians, All Other | $354,130 | $170.26 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,400 | $42.02 |
| Dentists, General | $207,380 | $99.70 |
| Occupational Therapist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Veterinarian | $130,350 | $62.67 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $291,060 | $139.93 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,210 | $33.27 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $163,290 a year, or $78.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $213,860 a year. The top 25% earn $200,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,240 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $125,730 or less.
How many optometrists work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 240 optometrists are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.