SOC 29-1041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Optometrists — Asheville
Asheville, NC · 6 metro areas compared
In Asheville, NC the median wage for Optometrists is $167,980 a year, which is 23.0% higher than the national figure of $136,570.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Asheville, NC the median wage for Optometrists is $167,980 a year, which is 23.0% higher than the national figure of $136,570. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $125,900 and $198,380. The lowest tenth earn under $95,220, while the highest tenth earn more than $207,200.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $166,880. Of the 425 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 11th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $95,220 | −30.3% |
| 25th | $125,900 | −7.8% |
| Median (50th) | $167,980 | +23.0% |
| 75th | $198,380 | +45.3% |
| 90th | $207,200 | +51.7% |
| Mean | $162,950 | +19.3% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | $166,880 | 40 | |
| 2 | Wilmington | $163,800 | 120 | |
| 3 | Raleigh | $163,290 | 240 | |
| 4 | Winston-Salem | $162,540 | 70 | |
| 5 | Charlotte | $157,210 | 260 | |
| 6 | Hickory | $136,920 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Asheville run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $167,980 goes as far as $178,134 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 30.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$167,980as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$178,134US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $167,980 a year, 23.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $95,220 to $207,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $166,880.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Optometrists in Asheville, NC?
The median annual wage is $167,980, or $80.76 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $136,570, so pay in Asheville, NC is 23.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Asheville, NC earns more than $207,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $95,220 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Durham, at $166,880 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Asheville, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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