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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Ophthalmologist in North Carolina is $324,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $156.
However, an Ophthalmologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Ophthalmologist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $357,900 | $29,825 | $6,883 | $172 |
| Average | $324,300 | $27,025 | $6,237 | $156 |
| 25th Percentile | $305,300 | $25,442 | $5,871 | $147 |
Novant Health - Wilmington, NC
Commonwealth Medical Services - Greenville, NC
Montgomery Eye Physicians - Clayton, NC
UNC HEALTH - Chapel Hill, NC
An Ophthalmologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Ophthalmologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Ophthalmologist | $316,678 |
| Intermediate Level Ophthalmologist | $318,097 |
| Senior Level Ophthalmologist | $319,515 |
| Specialist Level Ophthalmologist | $321,501 |
| Expert Level Ophthalmologist | $326,841 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Ophthalmologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Ophthalmologist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $364,914. While startup companies pay approximate $309,944.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $309,944 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $327,451 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $352,706 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $364,914 |
For Ophthalmologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Ophthalmologist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Ophthalmologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $454,020 | $218.0 | 40% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $372,945 | $179.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an Ophthalmologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $357,900 | $29,825 | $6,883 | $172 |
| Average | $324,300 | $27,025 | $6,237 | $156 |
| 25th Percentile | $305,300 | $25,442 | $5,871 | $147 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Ophthalmologist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
UNC HEALTH
Chapel Hill, NC
UNC HEALTH | Chapel Hill, NC
Ophthalmologist - Cornea & External Disease (MD/DO). The Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is accepting applications... more
10 Days Ago
BluePearl Pet Hospitals
Raleigh, NC
BluePearl Pet Hospitals | Raleigh, NC
Veterinary Ophthalmologist Opportunity. BluePearl Pet Hospital in Durham & Raleigh, North Carolina, is seeking a full-time Board-Certified or residency-tra... more
6 Days Ago
BluePearl Pet Hospitals
Durham, NC
BluePearl Pet Hospitals | Durham, NC
Veterinary Ophthalmologist Opportunity. BluePearl Pet Hospital in Durham & Raleigh, North Carolina, is seeking a full-time Board-Certified or residency-tra... more
6 Days Ago
Grace Federal Solutions
Greenville, NC
Grace Federal Solutions | Greenville, NC
Pediatric Ophthalmologist. Location: Greenville, NC Employment Type: Full Time Start Date: ASAP Pay Range: Competitive. Come for the role. Stay for the peo... more
8 Days Ago
National Veterinary Association
Asheville, NC
National Veterinary Association | Asheville, NC
Job Opportunity. City: Asheville. State: North Carolina. Hospital Name: South Asheville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty (SAVES). Job Type: Veterinarian - ... more
10 Days Ago
Eyecare Center
Raleigh, NC
Eyecare Center | Raleigh, NC
Eye Care Careers At Eyecarecenter. Eyecarecenter is part of the EyeCare Partners network of practices. EyeCare Partners is a growing, clinically integrated... more
6 Days Ago
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