Optometrists Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $154,700 +14.7% vs national
Median hourly $74.38
10th percentile $37,780
90th percentile $207,380
Employed locally 330
National median $134,830

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Type a city below to see how Charlotte, NC-SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Optometrists
in
Charlotte, NC-SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,780
    25th
    $101,600
    50th (median)
    $154,700
    75th
    $190,790
    90th
    $207,380

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 193% Median Optometrists salary is 93% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Optometrists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $176,930
    Asheville, NC $167,980
    Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $166,920
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $165,870
    Alaska $165,830
    Reno, NV $165,060

    Nearby metros — Optometrists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Asheville, NC $167,980
    Anchorage, AK $162,980
    Winston-Salem, NC $162,090
    Fayetteville, NC $161,820
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $159,190
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $157,750

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$84,780
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$63,450
    Pharmacy Technicians$42,770
    Pharmacists$139,950
    Physician Assistants$132,110
    Physicians, All Other$327,040

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Charlotte?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Charlotte, NC-SC is $74.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $100.86 or more per hour.

    Is Charlotte above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Charlotte, NC-SC is 14.7% above the national median of $134,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Optometrists in Charlotte?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $37,780 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $101,600.