Optometrists Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $153,730 +14% vs national
Median hourly $73.91
10th percentile $98,520
90th percentile —
Employed locally 320
National median $134,830

Compare Optometrists salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Optometrists
in
Raleigh, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $98,520
    25th
    $124,760
    50th (median)
    $153,730
    75th
    $194,330

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 160% Median Optometrists salary is 60% 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 Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $84,870
    Pharmacy Technicians $41,060
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $59,080
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,890
    Pharmacists $139,170
    Physician Assistants $125,710

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Raleigh?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Raleigh, NC is $73.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $102.82 or more per hour.

    Is Raleigh above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Raleigh, NC is 14% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $98,520 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $124,760.