Optometrist Salary in Anderson, SC: $157,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Anderson, SC earns a median $157,352/year (≈ $75.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Anderson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $171,969 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.3% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Anderson, South Carolina, can anticipate a median annual salary of $157,352 in 2026, which reflects a notable 11.91% increase compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession in the region spans from $91,264 at the 10th percentile to $221,818 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse spectrum of earning potential. Local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reveal that the choice of practice structure—whether operating a private practice, working as an employed associate, or being part of a retail chain—significantly influences earning capacity. Given the limited number of optometrists currently employed in Anderson, with just five practitioners in the area, the job market remains competitive, providing opportunities for those interested in ownership or partnerships in private settings.
About the Anderson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,264 | $43.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,854 | $60.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $157,352 | $75.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,533 | $89.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $221,818 | $106.65 |
Median Salary Position
11.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anderson
In Anderson, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,554 (2026 est.). At $157,352, the local median is 11.91% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Anderson: You'd be above the median
How Anderson Optometrist Pay Compares
Anderson median: $157,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anderson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,660 | +22.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +11.91% more |
Optometrists in Anderson, SC earn a median of $157,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.91% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 22.30% above the South Carolina state average of $128,660.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anderson 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.
Anderson, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $157,352 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $171,969 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,970
2025 BLS Actual
$152,828
2026 Current Est.
$157,352
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Anderson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,103 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,097 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,541 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,557 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,828 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $157,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anderson metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $128,970 (2019) to $152,828 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,039 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anderson 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) | $91,264 – $126,854 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,854 – $157,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $157,352 – $185,533 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,533 – $221,818 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Anderson
In terms of local economic context, the cost of living index in Anderson stands at 91.5, indicating that the area is comparatively affordable; thus, the purchasing power of an optometrist's salary can stretch further than in many other locations. Among employers, private optometry practices often offer higher salaries, especially for those who pursue ownership or work in an OD/MD model alongside ophthalmologists, capitalizing on surgical referral revenue. Conversely, retail chains like Walmart Vision and LensCrafters may provide stability but generally offer lower pay. The spread between lower and higher salaries can largely be attributed to factors such as ownership equity, specialized residency training in ocular disease, and the employment terms set by private equity acquisitions of formerly independent practices. For individuals seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Anderson, embracing ownership opportunities or pursuing advanced training could prove to be effective strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Anderson, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $152,828 for optometristsin the Anderson 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 Anderson 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