Optometrist Hourly Pay in Columbia, SC: $77.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Columbia, SC runs $77.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $160,978 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.7, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $82.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,589 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a notable $77.40, significantly higher than the national median of $67.60. This competitive rate allows both full-time and part-time optometrists, including those working three days a week or on a per-diem basis, to enjoy a solid earning potential. Typical settings for practice in Columbia encompass private optometry exam rooms, retail optical chains, ophthalmology practice locations, and educational institutions. Within the field, the hourly pay ranges from $24.27 for entry-level positions to $82.98 for the most experienced practitioners, reflecting the varied demand for services in the area and the diverse nature of the roles available. Employers in Columbia are seeing a steady growth in optometrist hourly rates as the field innovates and expands.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.27 | $194.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.82 | $310.53 |
| Median (P50) | $77.40 | $619.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.94 | $647.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.98 | $663.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $77.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.40/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, SC can expect to earn approximately $160,982 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $92,874. With a cost-of-living index of 93.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,095.80 | $13,415 | $160,982 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,857.48 | $8,049 | $96,589 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,238.32 | $5,366 | $64,393 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Columbia) | $77.40 |
| 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 Columbia, SC earn a median of $160,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.48% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 25.10% above the South Carolina state average of $128,679.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.40/hr = $96,589/year (purchasing power: $103,125).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $160,982/year (purchasing power: $171,875).
CoL index: 93.662 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Columbia grew 51.0% from $49.78/hr (2019) to $75.17/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.69/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time optometrists reveals intriguing differences. A practitioner working three days a week, averaging 24 hours, can expect to take home about $96,595 annually, clearly demonstrating a solid income compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem optometrists often have even higher earning possibilities, billing $500-$800 per day at retail chains and typically ranging from $700-$1,200 at specialty practices. Residency-trained optometrists servicing hospital systems can command $90-$130 per hour but may sacrifice some benefit packages compared to salaried positions. Choices relating to employer type profoundly affect potential wages in Columbia—while retail chains and private practices may offer varying hourly rates, benefits are essential for many, driving optometrists to balance immediate pay against long-term security. Those negotiating contracts should consider the entirety of their compensation—hourly pay, benefits, and job stability—as they make career decisions in the evolving SC optometry landscape.
More salary data for Columbia, 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 Columbia. 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, 5-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