State comparison · 2025
Optometrists salary: North Carolina vs North Dakota
Optometrists in North Carolina earn a median of $161,560. In North Dakota, $132,110. After cost-of-living, the gap is 15.4% — not 22.3%.
Nominal pay gap
+22.3%
North Carolina vs North Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+15.4%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
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%
North Dakota
Optometrists
- Median
- $132,110
- p25
- $109,990
- p75
- $151,970
- p10
- $74,610
- p90
- $178,900
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 89.0
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.