Optometrist Salary in Kernersville, NC: $166,583 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Kernersville, NC earns a median $166,583/year (≈ $80.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Kernersville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $177,973 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kernersville, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is set at $166,583, which reflects a notable increase compared to the national median of $140,612. The local market offers a wide salary range, with figures varying significantly from a lower threshold of $96,619 to a high of $240,209. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data, take into account regional price parities, allowing for a direct comparison of optometrist pay in Kernersville NC versus the national average. The robust OD/MD model for surgical co-management in the area contributes to higher earning potential, especially for those involved in practices that capitalize on referral revenue streams. With six optometrists currently employed, the job market is stable, providing various avenues for career growth.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,619 | $46.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,972 | $64.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,583 | $80.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $199,694 | $96.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $240,209 | $115.48 |
Median Salary Position
18.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kernersville
In Kernersville, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $143,590 (2026 est.). At $166,583, the local median is 18.47% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kernersville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kernersville Optometrist Pay Compares
Kernersville median: $166,583/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kernersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,096 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +18.47% more |
Optometrists in Kernersville, NC earn a median of $166,583 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.47% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $168,096.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kernersville 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.
Kernersville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $166,583 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $177,973 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$136,536
2025 BLS Actual
$161,794
2026 Current Est.
$166,583
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,536 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,853 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,258 | Actual |
| 2022 | $148,786 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,214 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,565 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,794 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,583 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $171,514 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kernersville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $136,536 (2019) to $161,794 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $171,514 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,978 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kernersville 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) | $96,619 – $133,972 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,972 – $166,583 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,583 – $199,694 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $199,694 – $240,209 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Kernersville
While the optometrist salary in Kernersville appears competitive, local economic factors also bear influence. The cost of living index sits at 93.6, indicating that residents experience a lower living cost compared to the national average. This more accommodating cost of life can enhance overall purchasing power and potentially offer a higher quality of life for optometrists. Employment settings vary, with private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics typically offering the most lucrative positions, particularly those that leverage the OD/MD partnership model. Factors such as practice ownership, specialization in ocular disease, and the extent of residency training contribute to the wage disparities observed in the area. To maximize pay, optometrists should consider expanding their scopes of practice, gaining residency training, or exploring partnerships with established ophthalmologists, allowing them to enhance their earnings through diverse service offerings and referrals within Kernersville’s evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Kernersville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $161,794 for optometristsin the Kernersville 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 Kernersville 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