Optometrists Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$51,740
- 25th Percentile — Junior$93,980
- 50th Percentile — Median$145,950
- 75th Percentile — Senior$163,510
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$172,060
Half of Optometrists in South Carolina earn more than $145,950. The top 10% make $172,060 or more, while entry-level workers start around $51,740.
Optometrists in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 37th of 51 states for Optometrists pay, at $129,570 per year (8.5% below the U.S. average of $141,550).
- 480 people work as Optometrists in South Carolina — 1.1% of all U.S. Optometrists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.76: Optometrists jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $51,740; the top 10% earn over $172,060.
- Hourly equivalent: $62.29 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $165,120.
- Among healthcare jobs in South Carolina, General Internal Medicine Physicians pays the most ($315,380).
Optometrists Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Optometrists here earn $129,570 on average, placing the state 37th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $129,570 is roughly equivalent to $147,239 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Missouri ($133,680), Nebraska ($132,660), North Dakota ($132,080) are the closest alternatives for Optometrists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Healthcare Jobs in South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- General Internal Medicine Physicians $315,380/yr South Carolina +143.4% vs this role
- Dermatologists $287,560/yr South Carolina +121.9% vs this role
- Physicians All Other $286,140/yr South Carolina +120.8% vs this role
- Emergency Medicine Physicians $285,730/yr South Carolina +120.5% vs this role
- Anesthesiologists $283,240/yr South Carolina +118.6% vs this role
- Nurse Anesthetists $276,380/yr South Carolina +113.3% vs this role
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists $268,740/yr South Carolina +107.4% vs this role
- Family Medicine Physicians $244,960/yr South Carolina +89.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Optometrists salary in South Carolina?
The average Optometrists salary in South Carolina is $129,570 per year (median $145,950), which is 8.5% below the national average of $141,550.
How does South Carolina rank for Optometrists pay?
South Carolina ranks 37th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($165,120/yr).
How much do entry-level Optometrists make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Optometrists in South Carolina earn about $51,740 per year and the 25th percentile is $93,980.
How much do Optometrists make per hour in South Carolina?
About $62.29 per hour, based on the $129,570 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Optometrists work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 480 Optometrists jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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