Optometrist salary in Wilmington, NC
Optometrists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $163,800 a year ($78.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $109,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $355,440 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 0.63 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $204,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $109,780 | $52.78 |
| 25th percentile | $134,790 | $64.80 |
| Median | $163,800 | $78.75 |
| 75th percentile | $221,340 | $106.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $355,440 | $170.89 |
| Average (mean) | $204,680 | $98.41 |
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 | $13,650 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,825 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,300 |
| Weekly | $3,150 |
| Hourly | $78.75 |
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 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Pharmacist | $151,790 | $72.98 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,770 | $47.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $252,960 | $121.62 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,700 | $46.49 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,990 | $60.09 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,270 | $63.11 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,420 | $41.55 |
| Dentists, General | $185,720 | $89.29 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,020 | $38.95 |
| Veterinarian | $131,670 | $63.30 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $218,830 | $105.21 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $163,800 a year, or $78.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $109,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $355,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $355,440 a year. The top 25% earn $221,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $109,780 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $134,790 or less.
How many optometrists work in Wilmington, NC?
About 120 optometrists are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.