Optometrist Salary in Charleston, SC: $159,238 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Charleston, SC earns a median $159,238/year (≈ $76.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $157,721 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.8% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Charleston, South Carolina, can expect an attractive median annual salary of $159,238 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge in the region compared to the national median of $140,612. Salary ranges for optometrists operating in this market vary significantly, with payouts starting at $53,642 and reaching up to $184,319, highlighting the impact of practice ownership and employment settings on overall earnings. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data indicates that doctors in private practices may realize higher revenues, especially those who own their operations or work alongside ophthalmologists, compared to those employed in retail chains or corporate environments. This landscape implies that strategic decisions about practice settings significantly affect earnings trajectories for optometrists in Charleston SC.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,642 | $25.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,686 | $47.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,238 | $76.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,948 | $84.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,319 | $88.62 |
Median Salary Position
13.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,677 (2026 est.). At $159,238, the local median is 13.25% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Charleston Optometrist Pay Compares
Charleston median: $159,238/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,625 | +23.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +13.25% more |
Optometrists in Charleston, SC earn a median of $159,238 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.25% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 23.80% above the South Carolina state average of $128,625.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,238 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $157,721 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,910
2025 BLS Actual
$154,660
2026 Current Est.
$159,238
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,238 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,951 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 29.0% from $119,910 (2019) to $154,660 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,951 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,041 (36.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $53,642 – $99,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,686 – $159,238 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,238 – $175,948 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,948 – $184,319 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Charleston
As of the most recent estimates, 70 optometrists are currently employed in Charleston, offering a glimpse into the stability of the local job market. With a cost-of-living index at 100.962, which is slightly above the national average, the take-home pay for optometrists is considerably affected by daily expenses in the area. Retail optical chains such as LensCrafters and Pearle Vision may offer more predictable wages, but private practices and ophthalmology settings often provide higher compensation due to shared revenues from surgical referrals and equity stakes. The discrepancy in pay stems from variations in practice ownership, the urgency of specific training credentials such as residency programs, and the influences of private equity ownership on practice management. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing the residency pathway, specializing in ocular disease, and positioning oneself within a private practice, particularly one collaborating closely with ophthalmologists, could prove advantageous in the Charleston optometry market.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Charleston, SC in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Charleston?
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Related Pages
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $154,660 for optometristsin the Charleston metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov