Optometrist salary in South Carolina
What optometrists earn in South Carolina and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$145,950$70.17 per hour
vs U.S.+7%U.S. median $136,570
Middle half earn$93,980 – $163,510Top 10%: $172,060+
Jobs4800.76× the U.S. concentration
Optometrist pay in South Carolina cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $157,210 | $75.58 | 260 |
| Columbia, SC | $156,350 | $75.17 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $130,390 | $62.69 | 70 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $154,660 | $74.36 | 70 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $149,380 | $71.82 | 70 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $150,010 | $72.12 | 50 |
Hospitals and jobs in South Carolina
Optometrist pay in similar states
Massachusetts · $151,730 Florida · $151,670 Connecticut · $150,340 Illinois · $145,620 Alabama · $145,090 New Mexico · $144,660
Other healthcare salaries in South Carolina
Registered Nurses · $82,360 Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $30,110 Nursing Assistants · $37,220 Medical Assistants · $41,160 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $61,820 Pharmacy Technicians · $42,120 Nurse Practitioners · $123,290 Dental Assistants · $47,320 Pharmacists · $135,700 Physicians, All Other · $274,480 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $55,280 Emergency Medical Technicians · $40,370
Questions
How much does an optometrist make in South Carolina?
Optometrists in South Carolina earned a median of $145,950 a year ($70.17 an hour) in May 2025, 7% more than the national median of $136,570. The middle half earned $93,980 to $163,510.
Where in South Carolina do optometrists earn the most?
Among areas in South Carolina, pay was highest in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC at $157,210.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.