Optometrist Hourly Pay in Hanahan, SC: $61.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Hanahan, SC runs $61.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,402 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Hanahan's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,441 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The optometrist hourly pay in Hanahan, SC, presents an intriguing picture for professionals in the field, with a median rate of $61.25. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $67.60, indicating localized market conditions that may influence earning opportunities. For part-time optometrists working three days a week, this translates to significant paychecks that could average around $39,160 annually, depending on actual hours worked, which can vary. Entry-level optometrists can expect to start around $35.52 per hour, while top earners may reach up to $88.09 per hour, reflecting the variation in pay rates influenced by experience and practice setting. In Hanahan, optometrists often find positions in various settings, including private practice, retail optical chains, and university teaching clinics, adding to the diversity of the working landscape.
About the Hanahan Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.52 | $284.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.21 | $393.72 |
| Median (P50) | $61.25 | $490.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.42 | $587.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.09 | $704.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hanahan
Based on $61.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.25/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hanahan, SC can expect to earn approximately $127,402 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,501. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hanahan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hanahan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,450.04 | $10,617 | $127,402 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,470.02 | $6,370 | $76,441 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $980.01 | $4,247 | $50,961 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Hanahan) | $61.25 |
| 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 Hanahan, SC earn a median of $127,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.39% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.00% below the South Carolina state average of $128,689.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.25/hr = $76,441/year (purchasing power: $83,542).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,402/year (purchasing power: $139,237).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Hanahan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Hanahan grew 18.5% from $50.20/hr (2019) to $59.49/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.06/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 Hanahan 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 Hanahan
Exploring part-time opportunities in Hanahan highlights the financial realities for optometrists who choose a schedule that fits their lifestyle. Working a 24-hour week can yield a considerable income, but full-time positions offer a more stable financial footing. Per diem optometrist pay in Hanahan can vary widely; fill-in positions at retail chains typically pay between $500 to $800 per day, while those in OD/MD practices may earn between $700 to $1,200 daily. Additionally, residency-trained ocular disease optometrists can command rates of $90 to $130 per hour in hospital systems. Different employment types affect compensation, with private practices sometimes offering lower hourly rates but supplemented with health benefits, while retail chains favor flexibility over perks. Negotiating your hourly rate can be crucial; consider the long-term benefits and potential salary growth when evaluating offers from different employers in Hanahan, ranging from corporate retail environments to independent practices.
More salary data for Hanahan, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Hanahan in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Hanahan?
Are optometrists in Hanahan paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Hanahan?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Hanahan?
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 Hanahan. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hanahan 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