Optometrist salary in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC
Optometrists in the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro area earn a median of $150,010 a year ($72.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,420 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $145,950. There are 0.34 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,270, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,390 | $36.73 |
| 25th percentile | $102,640 | $49.35 |
| Median | $150,010 | $72.12 |
| 75th percentile | $157,470 | $75.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,420 | $77.60 |
| Average (mean) | $129,270 | $62.15 |
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 | $12,500.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,250.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,769.62 |
| Weekly | $2,884.81 |
| Hourly | $72.12 |
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 |
| Columbia, SC | $156,350 | 90 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $154,660 | 70 |
| 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 Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Pharmacist | $135,410 | $65.10 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $121,390 | $58.36 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,480 | $49.27 |
| Physicians, All Other | $349,720 | $168.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,900 | $38.90 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $263,630 | $126.75 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,700 | $60.43 |
| Dentists, General | $134,420 | $64.62 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,920 | $41.31 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Veterinarian | $128,630 | $61.84 |
| Cardiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro area is $150,010 a year, or $72.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro area earn at least $161,420 a year. The top 25% earn $157,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,390 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $102,640 or less.
How many optometrists work in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC?
About 50 optometrists are employed in the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.