Optometrists Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $137,250 +1.8% vs national
Median hourly $65.99
10th percentile $53,190
90th percentile $156,070
Employed locally 90
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $53,190
    25th
    $73,080
    50th (median)
    $137,250
    75th
    $154,750
    90th
    $156,070

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 207% Median Optometrists salary is 107% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Optometrists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $176,930
    Asheville, NC $167,980
    Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $166,920
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $165,870
    Alaska $165,830
    Reno, NV $165,060

    Nearby metros — Optometrists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $161,120
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $157,750
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $154,700
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $154,120
    Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC $150,010
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $149,510

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$80,100
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$59,980
    Pharmacy Technicians$39,000
    Medical Records Specialists$65,960
    Physicians, All Other$374,300
    Pharmacists$134,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Columbia, SC is $65.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.59 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Columbia, SC is 1.8% above the national median of $134,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Optometrists in Columbia?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $53,190 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $73,080.