State comparison · 2025
Optometrists salary: North Carolina vs Virginia
Optometrists in North Carolina earn a median of $161,560. In Virginia, $131,570. After cost-of-living, the gap is 31.6% — not 22.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+22.8%
North Carolina vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+31.6%
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%
Virginia
Optometrists
- Median
- $131,570
- p25
- $106,900
- p75
- $163,890
- p10
- $62,430
- p90
- $235,980
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 101.1
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.