Optometrist salary in Columbia, SC
Optometrists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $156,350 a year ($75.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,620 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 7% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $145,950. There are 0.23 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $130,130, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| 25th percentile | $78,420 | $37.70 |
| Median | $156,350 | $75.17 |
| 75th percentile | $163,510 | $78.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,620 | $80.59 |
| Average (mean) | $130,130 | $62.56 |
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 | $13,029.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,514.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,013.46 |
| Weekly | $3,006.73 |
| Hourly | $75.17 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $157,210 | 260 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $154,660 | 70 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $150,010 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $149,380 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $130,390 | 70 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,840 | $55.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,350 | $130.46 |
| Veterinarian | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $156,350 a year, or $75.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $167,620 a year. The top 25% earn $163,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,030 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $78,420 or less.
How many optometrists work in Columbia, SC?
About 90 optometrists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.