State comparison · 2025
Optometrists salary: North Carolina vs Rhode Island
Optometrists in North Carolina earn a median of $161,560. In Rhode Island, $134,520. After cost-of-living, the gap is 30.3% — not 20.1%.
Nominal pay gap
+20.1%
North Carolina vs Rhode Island
COL-adjusted gap
+30.3%
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%
Rhode Island
Optometrists
- Median
- $134,520
- p25
- $114,090
- p75
- $167,930
- p10
- $71,670
- p90
- $215,640
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 102.3
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.