Optometrists pay in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the median pay for optometrists is $77.67 an hour ($161,560 a year). About 1,140 people work in this job there.
That is 18% higher than the U.S. median ($136,570). North Carolina ranks 3rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for optometrists in North Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $45.35 | $94,320 |
| 25% of workers | $59.25 | $123,250 |
| Half of workers (median) | $77.67 | $161,560 |
| 75% of workers | $93.17 | $193,790 |
| 90% of workers | $103.53 | $215,340 |
Optometrists pay in North Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $167,980 | 40 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $166,880 | 40 |
| Wilmington | $163,800 | 120 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $163,290 | 240 |
| Winston-Salem | $162,540 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $157,210 | 260 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $136,920 | 40 |
North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for optometrists
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +9.5% over ten years, much faster than average · about 2,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $289,780 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $45,150 |
| Chiropractors | $91,540 |
| Dermatologists | $367,350 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $323,630 |
| Registered Nurses | $84,350 |
| Pharmacists | $138,860 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.