State comparison · 2025
Optometrists salary: New Mexico vs North Carolina
Optometrists in North Carolina earn a median of $161,560. In New Mexico, $144,660. After cost-of-living, the gap is 8.4% — not 10.5%.
Nominal pay gap
-10.5%
New Mexico vs North Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
-8.4%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
New Mexico
Optometrists
- Median
- $144,660
- p25
- $109,260
- p75
- $178,060
- p10
- $88,160
- p90
- $202,980
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 92.2
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- 0%
North Carolina
Optometrists
- Median
- $161,560
- p25
- $123,250
- p75
- $193,790
- p10
- $94,320
- p90
- $215,340
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.3
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +100%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.