Optometrist Salary in Summerville, SC: $125,974 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Summerville, SC earns a median $125,974/year (≈ $60.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Summerville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $137,677 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $125,974 for optometrists in Summerville, South Carolina, the local compensation landscape presents a competitive opportunity for eye care professionals. This figure represents a range that spans from $73,065 at the 10th percentile to $191,683 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential that can vary based on experience, training, and employment type. The estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors. Notably, opting for a professional career in optometry in Summerville not only allows for diverse roles, but also provides a pathway to leverage surgical co-management revenues, particularly for those working in collaborative environments with ophthalmologists.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,065 | $35.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,430 | $49.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,974 | $60.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,979 | $74.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,683 | $92.16 |
Median Salary Position
10.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summerville
In Summerville, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,618 (2026 est.). At $125,974, the local median is 10.41% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summerville Optometrist Pay Compares
Summerville median: $125,974/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,676 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -10.41% less |
Optometrists in Summerville, SC earn a median of $125,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.41% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $128,676.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summerville 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.
Summerville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $125,974 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,677 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,252
2025 BLS Actual
$122,352
2026 Current Est.
$125,974
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,252 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,359 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,515 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,132 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,298 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,352 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,974 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,702 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summerville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $103,252 (2019) to $122,352 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,702 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,450 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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) | $73,065 – $102,430 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,430 – $125,974 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,974 – $155,979 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,979 – $191,683 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Summerville
In examining the local job market, there are currently 12 optometrists employed in Summerville, SC, contributing to a community that offers a cost of living index of 91.5, below the national average, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of take-home salaries. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically compensate more than retail optical chains, with additional gains for those integrated into ophthalmology practices through the OD/MD model, allowing for revenue from surgical referrals. This pay spread is influenced by various factors, including practice ownership equity and the experience gained from residency training. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Summerville, pursuing interdisciplinary collaborations, and acquiring advanced training in glaucoma management or ocular disease can be advantageous strategies for both financial growth and professional development in an evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Summerville, 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 $122,352 for optometristsin the Summerville 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 Summerville 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