North Carolina Median
$161,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$77.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+18% vs US median
US median $136,570
State Rank
#3 of 51
1,140 employed here
How much does an Optometrist make in North Carolina?
An Optometrist working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $161,560 per year, or about $77.67 per hour. That is 18% above the national median of $136,570 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $94,320 while the top 10% make $215,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $123,250 and $193,790 a year.
Optometrist salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,320 | $45.35 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $123,250 | $59.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $161,560 | $77.67 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $193,790 | $93.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,340 | $103.53 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Optometrist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Optometrist salary in other states
Alaska $170,310Maryland $165,840Delaware $161,270New York $161,140New Jersey $159,040Minnesota $158,700Washington $157,560Hawaii $154,620Maine $154,110Colorado $152,000Massachusetts $151,730Florida $151,670Connecticut $150,340South Carolina $145,950Illinois $145,620Alabama $145,090New Mexico $144,660Wisconsin $139,720Kansas $138,580Vermont $137,290California $136,300Michigan $135,650Nevada $135,650Indiana $135,500Pennsylvania $135,400Ohio $134,850District of Columbia $134,840Rhode Island $134,520Tennessee $134,170Missouri $133,810North Dakota $132,110Oregon $132,020Virginia $131,570Kentucky $128,860Georgia $128,830Texas $126,000New Hampshire $125,560Iowa $125,380Nebraska $125,040Arkansas $124,470Arizona $122,250Utah $119,070Louisiana $118,060West Virginia $118,010Wyoming $111,400Mississippi $108,070Montana $104,280Idaho $103,390South Dakota $102,320Oklahoma $97,350
Working as an Optometrist in North Carolina
Nationally, about 43,000 people work as Optometrists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($161,560) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Optometrist make in North Carolina?
The median Optometrist salary in North Carolina is $161,560 per year, or about $77.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $94,320 at the entry level to $215,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Optometrists about 18% more than the national median of $136,570. North Carolina ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Optometrists?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $161,560 a year. About 1,140 Optometrists are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Optometrist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.