South Carolina Median
$145,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$70.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $136,570
State Rank
#15 of 51
480 employed here
How much does an Optometrist make in South Carolina?
An Optometrist working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $145,950 per year, or about $70.17 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $136,570 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $51,740 while the top 10% make $172,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $93,980 and $163,510 a year.
Optometrist salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,740 | $24.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $93,980 | $45.18 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $145,950 | $70.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $163,510 | $78.61 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,060 | $82.72 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories for Optometrist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Optometrist salary in other states
Alaska $170,310Maryland $165,840North Carolina $161,560Delaware $161,270New York $161,140New Jersey $159,040Minnesota $158,700Washington $157,560Hawaii $154,620Maine $154,110Colorado $152,000Massachusetts $151,730Florida $151,670Connecticut $150,340Illinois $145,620Alabama $145,090New Mexico $144,660Wisconsin $139,720Kansas $138,580Vermont $137,290California $136,300Michigan $135,650Nevada $135,650Indiana $135,500Pennsylvania $135,400Ohio $134,850District of Columbia $134,840Rhode Island $134,520Tennessee $134,170Missouri $133,810North Dakota $132,110Oregon $132,020Virginia $131,570Kentucky $128,860Georgia $128,830Texas $126,000New Hampshire $125,560Iowa $125,380Nebraska $125,040Arkansas $124,470Arizona $122,250Utah $119,070Louisiana $118,060West Virginia $118,010Wyoming $111,400Mississippi $108,070Montana $104,280Idaho $103,390South Dakota $102,320Oklahoma $97,350
Working as an Optometrist in South Carolina
Nationally, about 43,000 people work as Optometrists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($145,950) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Optometrist make in South Carolina?
The median Optometrist salary in South Carolina is $145,950 per year, or about $70.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,740 at the entry level to $172,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Optometrists about 7% more than the national median of $136,570. South Carolina ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Optometrists?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $145,950 a year. About 480 Optometrists are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Optometrist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.