How much does an optometrist make in Raleigh?
$163,300a year
Median yearly pay for optometrists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area. That is $78.50 an hour or $13,610 a month.
- Hourly
- $78.50
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among cities
- 13 of 183
- Jobs in the area
- 240
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $100,200Median: $163,300Highest 10%: $213,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $100,200 | $48.19 | |
| 25th | $125,700 | $60.45 | |
| Median | $163,300 | $78.50 | |
| 75th | $200,000 | $96.17 | |
| 90th | $213,900 | $102.82 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for optometrists.
| Wilmington, NC | $163,800 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $162,500 |
| Charlotte, NC | $157,200 |
Related jobs in Raleigh
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physician | $354,100 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $291,100 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200 |
| Physician | $239,200 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $239,200 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $218,800 |
| Pediatrician | $214,700 |
| Dentist | $207,400 |
| Podiatrist | $185,800 |
| Psychiatrist | $168,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optometrist make an hour in Raleigh?
The median hourly pay in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $78.50 ($163,300 a year).
Do optometrists make more in Raleigh than the national average?
Yes: $163,300 against $136,600 nationally, 20% more.
How does Raleigh compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $161,600, so Raleigh pays 1% more.
Where does Raleigh rank for optometrist pay?
13 of 183 metro areas with data.
How much does an optometrist make starting out in Raleigh?
The lowest-paid 10% make $100,200 or less a year; the top 10% make $213,900 or more.
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.