Salary · Metro area · SOC 29-1041
Optometrist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, per year and per hour
BLS data for May 2025 for the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan statistical area.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, released May 15, 2026. Publisher page
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Annual pay: Durham vs North Carolina vs the US
| Measure | This metro | North Carolina | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) | $166,880 | $161,560 | $136,570 |
| Mean (average) | $164,510 | $161,030 | $141,550 |
| 10th percentile | $100,870 | $94,320 | $74,870 |
| 25th percentile | $121,080 | $123,250 | $109,400 |
| 75th percentile | $205,000 | $193,790 | $165,120 |
| 90th percentile | $217,510 | $215,340 | $202,180 |
| Measure | Hourly |
|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) | $80.23 |
| Mean (average) | $79.09 |
| 10th percentile | $48.50 |
| 25th percentile | $58.21 |
| 75th percentile | $98.56 |
| 90th percentile | $104.57 |
Employment: 40. 0.121 per 1,000 jobs in the area. Location quotient 0.44.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Publisher page
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Questions
How much does an Optometrist make per hour in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median hourly wage was $80.23 in May 2025, per BLS. The 10th percentile was $48.50 and the 90th was $104.57.
What is the average Optometrist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
BLS reports a mean (average) of $164,510 a year and a median of $166,880 for May 2025. The median is the middle wage; the mean is pulled up by the highest earners.
Do optometrists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC earn more than the North Carolina median?
The Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median of $166,880 is 3% higher than the North Carolina median of $161,560 (BLS, May 2025).
Where do these numbers come from?
The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 estimates, SOC 29-1041. Figures BLS did not publish are left out.