Optometrist salary in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
Optometrists in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn a median of $130,390 a year ($62.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,990 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $128,830. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $125,580, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,200 | $27.02 |
| 25th percentile | $98,610 | $47.41 |
| Median | $130,390 | $62.69 |
| 75th percentile | $162,630 | $78.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,990 | $81.73 |
| Average (mean) | $125,580 | $60.38 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,865.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,432.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,015 |
| Weekly | $2,507.50 |
| Hourly | $62.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $159,330 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $157,210 | 260 |
| Columbia, SC | $156,350 | 90 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $154,660 | 70 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $150,010 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $149,380 | 70 |
| Albany, GA | $134,250 | 40 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $128,830 | 450 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $126,600 | 60 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $121,830 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $87,760 | $42.19 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,650 | $124.35 |
| Pharmacist | $131,630 | $63.28 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,270 | $57.82 |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,840 | $38.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $117,240 | $56.37 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,560 | $37.77 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,260 | $46.76 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,880 | $48.02 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,950 | $39.88 |
| Dentists, General | $153,510 | $73.80 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Veterinarian | $120,110 | $57.75 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,280 | $127.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area is $130,390 a year, or $62.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn at least $169,990 a year. The top 25% earn $162,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,200 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $98,610 or less.
How many optometrists work in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
About 70 optometrists are employed in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.