Optometrists Salary in North Carolina: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Optometrists salary really buy you in North Carolina?

North Carolina is 5.8% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$153,750

Median annual (2024)

→ +6.2%

Real Purchasing Power

$163,216

COL-adjusted (RPP=94.2)

North Carolina Cost of Living Index

North Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 94.2, meaning prices are 5.8% lower the national average. A Optometrists earning $153,750 in North Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $163,216 in an average-cost US state.

NC: 94.2

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Key Insight

A Optometrists in North Carolina earns $153,750 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 6% further — like earning $163,216 in an average-cost state. This makes North Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.

Best States for Optometrists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Optometrists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. New Mexico

$169,923

RPP 91.0

2. North Carolina

$163,216

RPP 94.2

3. Alaska

$162,578

RPP 102.0

4. Vermont

$154,302

RPP 101.1

5. Minnesota

$153,551

RPP 97.7

6. Nevada

$152,240

RPP 96.4

7. New York

$151,524

RPP 107.6

8. Maryland

$150,314

RPP 105.0

9. Wisconsin

$149,133

RPP 92.3

10. Alabama

$147,722

RPP 87.8

North Carolina ranks #2 out of 49 states for Optometrists after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Optometrists in North Carolina after cost of living?

A Optometrists in North Carolina earns a median salary of $153,750 per year. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (RPP=94.2), the real purchasing power is $163,216 — a +6.2% difference.

Is North Carolina expensive to live in?

North Carolina's cost of living is 5.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for North Carolina is 94.2 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Optometrists in North Carolina: $153,750 x (100 / 94.2) = $163,216. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Optometrists in North Carolina financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Optometrists in North Carolina enjoys 6.2% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.