Optometrist salary in South Carolina
Optometrists in South Carolina earn a median of $145,950 a year ($70.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,060 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $136,570. South Carolina ranks 15th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.21 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $129,570, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| 25th percentile | $93,980 | $45.19 |
| Median | $145,950 | $70.17 |
| 75th percentile | $163,510 | $78.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,060 | $82.72 |
| Average (mean) | $129,570 | $62.29 |
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 | $12,162.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,081.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,613.46 |
| Weekly | $2,806.73 |
| Hourly | $70.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| Pharmacist | $135,700 | $65.24 |
| Physicians, All Other | $274,480 | $131.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,330 | $48.72 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Physician Assistant | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $90,530 | $43.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,640 | $76.27 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $359,500 | $172.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,200 | $115.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for optometrists in South Carolina is $145,950 a year, or $70.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of optometrists in South Carolina earn at least $172,060 a year. The top 25% earn $163,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,740 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $93,980 or less.
How many optometrists work in South Carolina?
About 480 optometrists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.