State comparison · 2025
Optometrists salary: North Carolina vs West Virginia
Optometrists in North Carolina earn a median of $161,560. In West Virginia, $118,010. After cost-of-living, the gap is 29.9% — not 36.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+36.9%
North Carolina vs West Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+29.9%
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%
West Virginia
Optometrists
- Median
- $118,010
- p25
- $98,710
- p75
- $161,820
- p10
- $69,830
- p90
- $198,570
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 89.5
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.