Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Optometrists salary grow from entry-level to senior in North Carolina? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
128% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • North Carolina salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Optometrists in North Carolina spans from $94,320 at entry-level to $215,340 at senior level — a difference of $121,020 per year.
Senior Optometristss in North Carolina earn $121,020 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Optometrists salary increases with experience in North Carolina, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $94,320 | $7,860 | $45.35 |
| Early Career | P25 | $123,250 | $10,271 | $59.25 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $161,560 | $13,463 | $77.67 |
| Experienced | P75 | $193,790 | $16,149 | $93.17 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $215,340 | $17,945 | $103.53 |
Optometrists in North Carolina shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $94,320, while senior-level professionals earn $215,340 — a 128% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($161,560) and experienced level ($193,790), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.
Where does North Carolina rank for Optometrists senior-level salaries? Compare North Carolina's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Optometristss (10th percentile) earn approximately $94,320 per year, or $7,860 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $123,250. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Optometristss (90th percentile) earn approximately $215,340 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $193,790. This represents a career premium of 128% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Optometristss is 128%. Entry-level professionals start at $94,320, while senior-level can earn up to $215,340 — a difference of $121,020 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Optometristss is North Carolina, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $215,340 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for North Carolina from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within North Carolina.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS