Optometrists Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $131,710 -2.3% vs national
Median hourly $63.32
10th percentile $97,740
90th percentile $189,190
Employed locally 40
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $97,740
    25th
    $131,710
    50th (median)
    $131,710
    75th
    $170,420
    90th
    $189,190

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 219% Median Optometrists salary is 119% 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 Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $77,680
    Pharmacy Technicians $38,420
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,310
    Emergency Medical Technicians $44,340
    Physicians, All Other $313,460
    Radiologic Technologists and Technicians $63,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Hickory?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Hickory, NC is $63.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $92.93 or more per hour.

    Is Hickory above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Hickory, NC is 2.3% below 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $97,740 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $131,710.