How much does an optometrist make in North Carolina?
$161,600a year
Median yearly pay for optometrists in North Carolina. That is $77.67 an hour or $13,460 a month.
- Hourly
- $77.67
- Vs. national median
- +18%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 1,140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $94,320Median: $161,600Highest 10%: $215,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $94,320 | $45.35 | |
| 25th | $123,300 | $59.25 | |
| Median | $161,600 | $77.67 | |
| 75th | $193,800 | $93.17 | |
| 90th | $215,300 | $103.53 |
Cities in North Carolina
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Asheville, NC | $168,000 |
| Durham, NC | $166,900 |
| Wilmington, NC | $163,800 |
| Raleigh, NC | $163,300 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $162,500 |
| Charlotte, NC | $157,200 |
| Hickory, NC | $136,900 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for optometrists.
| 1. Alaska | $170,300 |
| 2. Maryland | $165,800 |
| 3. North Carolina | $161,600 |
| 4. Delaware | $161,300 |
| 5. New York | $161,100 |
| 6. New Jersey | $159,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optometrist make an hour in North Carolina?
The median hourly pay in North Carolina is $77.67 ($161,600 a year).
Do optometrists make more in North Carolina than the national average?
Yes: $161,600 against $136,600 nationally, 18% more.
Where does North Carolina rank for optometrist pay?
North Carolina ranks 3 of 51 states.
Which city in North Carolina pays optometrists the most?
Asheville, NC, with a median of $168,000 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.