Optometrist Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $76.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Charleston, SC runs $76.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $159,238 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $95,548 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, the projected median hourly pay for optometrists is $76.56, significantly surpassing the national median of $67.60. This compensation makes the profession appealing to part-time workers; for instance, an optometrist working three days a week could maintain a solid income while enjoying flexibility. Charleston's optometrists operate in diverse settings, including private practices, retail chains like LensCrafters, and medical facilities such as VA outpatient clinics. Hourly wages range from $25.79 for entry-level roles up to $88.62 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the various levels of experience and specialization present within the field. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that these figures highlight not just the financial landscape of optometry in Charleston, SC, but also the potential for lucrative opportunities in this growing sector.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.79 | $206.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.93 | $383.42 |
| Median (P50) | $76.56 | $612.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.59 | $676.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.62 | $708.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $76.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $76.56/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $159,247 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,873. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,062.44 | $13,271 | $159,247 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,837.47 | $7,962 | $95,548 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,224.98 | $5,308 | $63,699 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Charleston) | $76.56 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
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.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $76.56/hr = $95,548/year (purchasing power: $94,638).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $159,247/year (purchasing power: $157,730).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$76.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Charleston grew 29.0% from $57.65/hr (2019) to $74.36/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.83/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Charleston
Exploring the part-time earning potential, an optometrist in Charleston working 24 hours a week could potentially yield a substantial annual income, contrasting starkly with full-time hours. Per diem optometrist pay in Charleston varies across settings; some may command daily rates between $500 and $800 at retail optical chains, while fill-in positions in OD/MD practices can range from $700 to $1,200 per day. Residency-trained ocular disease ODs often see hourly compensation rates between $90 and $130 in more specialized hospital environments. Hourly rates fluctuate based on employer type, leading some professionals to accept lower wages for the benefits associated with larger medical groups. Negotiating rates becomes crucial, especially for those seeking part-time roles or per diem work. Understanding the local healthcare landscape and engaging with the AOA can provide insights on how to optimize compensation, making Charleston an exciting market for current optometrists and students alike.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Charleston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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