Optometrists Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $159,190 +18.1% vs national
Median hourly $76.54
10th percentile $97,340
90th percentile —
Employed locally 50
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $97,340
    25th
    $129,900
    50th (median)
    $159,190
    75th
    $199,490

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 196% Median Optometrists salary is 96% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $157,750
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $155,960

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $61,660
    Nurse Practitioners $127,540
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,650
    Pharmacists $135,970
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $62,960
    Physician Assistants $125,210

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Durham, NC is $76.54, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $104.57 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Durham, NC is 18.1% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $97,340 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $129,900.