State comparison · 2025
Optometrists salary: North Carolina vs Tennessee
Optometrists in North Carolina earn a median of $161,560. In Tennessee, $134,170. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.3% — not 20.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+20.4%
North Carolina vs Tennessee
COL-adjusted gap
+17.3%
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%
Tennessee
Optometrists
- Median
- $134,170
- p25
- $63,510
- p75
- $160,150
- p10
- $47,630
- p90
- $167,420
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 91.9
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.