Optometrist salary in Winston-Salem, NC
Optometrists in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median of $162,540 a year ($78.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,130 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $161,560. There are 0.26 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $157,630, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Winston-Salem, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| 25th percentile | $126,980 | $61.05 |
| Median | $162,540 | $78.14 |
| 75th percentile | $188,520 | $90.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $201,130 | $96.70 |
| Average (mean) | $157,630 | $75.78 |
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 | $13,545 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,772.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,251.54 |
| Weekly | $3,125.77 |
| Hourly | $78.14 |
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 |
| 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 Winston-Salem, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Physicians, All Other | $74,700 | $35.92 |
| Pharmacist | $135,710 | $65.24 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,840 | $62.90 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,730 | $62.85 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,270 | $48.69 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,930 | $46.12 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,140 | $103.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,890 | $41.29 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,780 | $45.09 |
| Dentists, General | $168,700 | $81.11 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,910 | $30.72 |
| Veterinarian | $128,530 | $61.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $162,540 a year, or $78.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn at least $201,130 a year. The top 25% earn $188,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Winston-Salem, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,100 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $126,980 or less.
How many optometrists work in Winston-Salem, NC?
About 70 optometrists are employed in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.