Optometrist Salary in Mount Pleasant, SC: $130,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Mount Pleasant, SC earns a median $130,548/year (≈ $62.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Mount Pleasant's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $142,675 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mount Pleasant, SC, the projected optometrist salary in 2026 is set at $130,548, reflecting a local market that remains slightly below the national average of $140,612. This salary demonstrates a diverse compensation range within the profession, spanning from $75,718 at the 10th percentile to $189,871 at the 90th percentile. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, indicate that local optometrists have potential earning capabilities shaped not only by traditional practice settings but also by surgical co-management revenue received when working alongside ophthalmologists. With increasing demand for eye care services, those in Mount Pleasant may discover opportunities for growth in a market that is raising compensation in relation to the shifting healthcare landscape.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,718 | $36.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,086 | $48.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,548 | $62.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,680 | $75.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,871 | $91.28 |
Median Salary Position
7.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Pleasant
In Mount Pleasant, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,153 (2026 est.). At $130,548, the local median is 7.16% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Pleasant: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Pleasant Optometrist Pay Compares
Mount Pleasant median: $130,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Pleasant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,619 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.16% less |
Optometrists in Mount Pleasant, SC earn a median of $130,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.16% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.50% above the South Carolina state average of $128,619.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Pleasant 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.
Mount Pleasant, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,675 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,001
2025 BLS Actual
$126,795
2026 Current Est.
$130,548
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,601 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,403 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,601 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,422 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,268 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,795 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,412 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Pleasant metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,001 (2019) to $126,795 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,412 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,411 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant 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) | $75,718 – $101,086 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,086 – $130,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,548 – $156,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,680 – $189,871 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Mount Pleasant
Given the competitive nature of optics in Mount Pleasant, the local employment scene consists of 19 optometrists, a modest pool that hinges on a cost of living index of 91.5, which suggests that everyday expenses are lower than the national average. This affordability can impact overall purchasing power for optometrists, providing more leeway for salary negotiations, especially in environments like private optometry practices or ophthalmology settings that utilize the OD/MD model. Higher wages can often be found in practices that emphasize residency training, such as ocular disease pathways, benefitting from referrals and shared surgical revenue. Optometrists seeking to maximize their pay in Mount Pleasant SC should consider acquiring ownership equity in private practices, exploring additional training, and networking with local vision insurance plans or healthcare entities, such as the VA medical centers, which can lead to enhanced compensation packages.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, 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 $126,795 for optometristsin the Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant 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