Optometrist Salary in Goose Creek, SC: $123,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Goose Creek, SC earns a median $123,548/year (≈ $59.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Goose Creek's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $135,025 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Goose Creek, South Carolina, the estimated median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is projected to be $123,548, reflecting a compensation structure that accounts for the complexities of the OD/MD model surgical co-management. The salary range varies significantly from $73,339 at the lower end to $178,210 at the high end, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience, practice environment, and additional revenue streams tied to surgical partnerships. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost factors, and illustrate that while local optometrist pay may be comparatively lower than the national median of $140,612, economic factors specific to Goose Creek can present significant career opportunities for those entering the field.
About the Goose Creek Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,339 | $35.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,398 | $47.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,548 | $59.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,140 | $71.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,210 | $85.67 |
Median Salary Position
12.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goose Creek
In Goose Creek, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,871 (2026 est.). At $123,548, the local median is 12.14% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Goose Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Goose Creek Optometrist Pay Compares
Goose Creek median: $123,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goose Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,696 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.14% less |
Optometrists in Goose Creek, SC earn a median of $123,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.14% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.00% below the South Carolina state average of $128,696.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goose Creek has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goose Creek, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $123,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,025 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,263
2025 BLS Actual
$119,996
2026 Current Est.
$123,548
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Goose Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,263 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,724 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,215 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,349 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,858 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,996 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,205 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goose Creek metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $101,263 (2019) to $119,996 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,205 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,942 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goose Creek 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) | $73,339 – $99,398 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,398 – $123,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,548 – $148,140 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,140 – $178,210 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Goose Creek
With 11 optometrists currently active in the Goose Creek area, the local job market offers a blend of environments ranging from independent practices to retail chains like Walmart Vision and Visionworks. The cost of living in Goose Creek, measured at a 91.5 index, suggests that take-home salaries can afford a comfortable lifestyle despite being lower than the national average. The highest pay potential often lies within private practices employing the OD/MD model, which allows optometrists to share in surgical referral revenue, or through practices with specialty residencies. Skills in glaucoma management, oral medication prescriptions, and participation in surgical co-management greatly enhance earning potentials as well. To maximize pay in Goose Creek, optometrists should consider pursuing residency training and seeking employment in environments that foster collaboration with ophthalmologists, as well as evaluating opportunities within emerging practice models that focus on tailored patient care.
More salary data for Goose Creek, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $119,996 for optometristsin the Goose Creek 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
Salary data for Goose Creek is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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