Optometrist Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $171,082 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $171,082/year (≈ $82.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $182,780 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Fayetteville, North Carolina can expect a median annual salary of $171,082 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $140,612 for the same year. This local compensation reflects the lucrative opportunities available within the OD/MD model of surgical co-management, allowing optometrists to enhance their overall income through partnerships with ophthalmologists. The salary range for optometrists in the area is significant, with figures spanning from $99,228 at the lower end to $265,178 for those in the top percentile. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for local price levels, indicating a strong demand for optometrists in Fayetteville's growing healthcare market.
About the Fayetteville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,228 | $47.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,547 | $65.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,082 | $82.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $213,007 | $102.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $265,178 | $127.49 |
Median Salary Position
21.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $165,950 (2026 est.). At $171,082, the local median is 21.67% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Optometrist Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $171,082/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,057 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +21.67% more |
Optometrists in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $171,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.67% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.80% above the North Carolina state average of $168,057.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $171,082 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $182,780 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$176,470
2025 BLS Actual
$166,164
2026 Current Est.
$171,082
2019–2027 Growth
+-0.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $176,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $174,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $148,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $161,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,164 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,082 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,146 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -5.8% from $176,470 (2019) to $166,164 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,146 by 2027 — a total increase of $-324 (-0.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $99,228 – $135,547 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,547 – $171,082 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,082 – $213,007 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $213,007 – $265,178 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fayetteville
With 37 active optometrists in Fayetteville, the local job market shows a robust engagement in the field, especially considering the region’s lower cost-of-living index of 93.6. This contributes positively to disposable income, as salaries for optometrists can stretch further in Fayetteville compared to many higher-cost urban centers. Among various employers, private optometry practices, particularly those operating within the OD/MD model and some military health systems, tend to offer the highest pay, largely due to revenue-sharing arrangements and practice ownership equity. The disparity in salaries often hinges on factors such as residency training, specialization in ocular disease, and the choice between retail optical chains and private practice. For those aiming to maximize optometrist pay in Fayetteville, building a strong referral network, considering positions linked with surgery, and seeking opportunities in higher-paying settings like ophthalmology practices will be key strategies.
More salary data for Fayetteville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $166,164 for optometristsin the Fayetteville metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fayetteville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov