Optometrist Salary in Aiken, SC: $127,582 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Aiken, SC earns a median $127,582/year (≈ $61.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Aiken's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $139,434 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, the practice structure heavily influences the financial outcomes for optometrists, with variations seen between private practice owners, employed associates, and retail chains. The 2026 median annual salary stands at $127,582, which lags 9.27% behind the national average. Local estimates show salaries ranging from $73,997 at the lower 10th percentile to $184,168 at the 90th percentile, indicating considerable potential for variation based on whether one operates independently or within a larger corporate structure. As the local market accommodates a small number of optometrists, the compensation landscape reflects both the competitive nature of independent practices and the economic dynamics of retail chains in Aiken, contributing to distinct earning potentials within this evolving field.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,997 | $35.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,730 | $49.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,582 | $61.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,061 | $73.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,168 | $88.55 |
Median Salary Position
9.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aiken
In Aiken, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,171 (2026 est.). At $127,582, the local median is 9.27% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aiken: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aiken Optometrist Pay Compares
Aiken median: $127,582/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aiken Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,611 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.27% less |
Optometrists in Aiken, SC earn a median of $127,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.27% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $128,611.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aiken 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.
Aiken, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,582 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,434 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,570
2025 BLS Actual
$123,914
2026 Current Est.
$127,582
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,781 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,952 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,694 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,914 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,582 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,358 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aiken metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $104,570 (2019) to $123,914 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,358 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,788 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken 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) | $73,997 – $102,730 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,730 – $127,582 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,582 – $153,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,061 – $184,168 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Aiken
The local job market currently employs only four optometrists, underscoring both the opportunities and competition among professionals in Aiken. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, which is below the national average, the take-home pay for optometrists is relatively strong, potentially enhancing purchasing power despite the lower average salary. Among the employers, private optometry practices often offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains, due in part to revenue-sharing models with ophthalmologists and the benefits of ownership equity. The spread between low and high pay is influenced by various factors such as practice ownership, whether one is engagement with an OD/MD model, and the presence of residency training in ocular disease. Career seekers may maximize their pay by considering positions in private practice or seeking further training in specialized areas, aligning with trends toward expanded scope-of-practice regulations and greater patient needs in Aiken, SC.
More salary data for Aiken, 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
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 $123,914 for optometristsin the Aiken 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 Aiken 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