State comparison · 2025
Optometrists salary: North Carolina vs South Dakota
Optometrists in North Carolina earn a median of $161,560. In South Dakota, $102,320. After cost-of-living, the gap is 48.4% — not 57.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+57.9%
North Carolina vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+48.4%
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%
South Dakota
Optometrists
- Median
- $102,320
- p25
- $94,350
- p75
- $133,200
- p10
- $90,560
- p90
- $174,920
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
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.