Optometrist Salary in Winston, NC: $167,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Winston, NC earns a median $167,351/year (≈ $80.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $181,818 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, the practice structure significantly impacts the optometrist salary landscape, with the 2026 median annual pay projected at $167,351, reflecting a strong local market for this profession. Salary ranges for optometrists in the area span from $98,945 at the 10th percentile to $207,083 at the 90th percentile, based on data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. This substantial median not only surpasses the national figure of $140,612 by approximately 19.02% but also hints at competitive earnings, particularly for those with ownership stakes in private practices. In a city where the demand for comprehensive eye care continues to grow, the choices between private practice, retail chains, and employed associate positions will largely dictate earning potential and career satisfaction.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,945 | $47.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,739 | $62.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,351 | $80.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,100 | $93.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,083 | $99.56 |
Median Salary Position
19.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,138 (2026 est.). At $167,351, the local median is 19.02% above the national median of $140,612.
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How Winston Optometrist Pay Compares
Winston median: $167,351/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $168,192 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +19.02% more |
Optometrists in Winston, NC earn a median of $167,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.02% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 0.50% below the North Carolina state average of $168,192.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $167,351 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $181,818 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,120
2025 BLS Actual
$162,540
2026 Current Est.
$167,351
2019–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,305 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 29.9% from $125,120 (2019) to $162,540 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,305 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,185 (37.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $98,945 – $130,739 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,739 – $167,351 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,351 – $194,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,100 – $207,083 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Winston
Looking closer at Winston’s job market, there are around 70 optometrists currently employed, affirming a solid demand for eye care professionals in the region. The cost-of-living index stands at 92.043, suggesting that take-home pay is relatively favorable compared to overall expenses, enhancing the purchasing power of optometrists in Winston. Employers that tend to offer generous compensation include private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups, especially those operating under the OD/MD model, which can yield higher revenue through surgical referral shares. Various factors contribute to the pay variance, including the benefits of practice ownership, the impact of residency training—particularly in ocular disease—and the terms set by private equity acquisitions of formerly independent practices. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Winston, seeking ownership opportunities, pursuing advanced training, and considering a mix of retail chain experience with community-focused private practice could yield advantageous career outcomes.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $162,540 for optometristsin the Winston 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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